What happened
During an ILS approach, the pilot initiated a missed approach procedure. Upon increasing power to climb, the left engine experienced a loss of power, causing the aircraft to veer to the left. Despite the pilot activating the fuel boost pump, the aircraft struck obstructions and came to rest approximately 500 feet from the runway threshold. A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft. An eyewitness, a local deputy, reported hearing unusual engine sounds followed by visible flashes and a fireball. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing dense fog, with visibility reported at 1/4-mile and a ceiling of 100 feet, which were below the required landing minimums for the approach.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft was not configured correctly for a single-engine climb. Specifically, the landing gear remained down and the propellers on both engines had not been feathered. While the aircraft's performance charts indicated a potential positive climb rate under ideal conditions, the combination of the landing gear being extended and the lack of feathering resulted in a negative net climb performance of 400 feet per minute. No mechanical failures were found in either engine that would have prevented normal operation. Additionally, the operator was not authorized to operate below standard landing minimums, and the weather conditions at the time of the incident were below those established requirements.