What happened
During an instrument flight, the pilot was cleared by air traffic control to proceed directly to the initial approach fix for a GPS-based approach to the airport. While following the published procedure at altitudes appropriate for the approach, the aircraft maintained an easterly course. Upon reaching the missed approach point at a minimum descent altitude of 2,000 feet m/s, the aircraft began a left turn, heading north toward rising mountains. This maneuver deviated from the published missed approach instructions, which required a climbing right turn to 4,000 feet and explicitly prohibited circling north of the airport.
As the aircraft continued a slight left turn and climbed to 3,300 feet msl over a period of approximately 69 seconds, air traffic control alerted the pilot to the deviation and the proximity of the terrain. The controller instructed the pilot to execute an immediate left turn to a southbound heading. The pilot acknowledged these instructions and began a descent to 2,100 feet msl. However, as the aircraft climbed back to 3,300 feet with a ground speed of 35 knots, it entered a sharp left turn and subsequently descended into a residential building.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage showed no signs of mechanical failure or system malfunctions occurring before the collision. While the aircraft's cockpit and instrument panel suffered extreme thermal damage from the post-impact fire, preventing a full inspection of the avionics, the pilot did not communicate any navigational difficulties or requests for assistance during the approach. The primary factor in the accident was the unauthorized left turn toward mountainous terrain during the missed approach phase.