What happened
During a cross-country flight, the pilot initiated an instrument flight rules approach from the south toward the destination airport. At the time of the flight, the area was experiencing light rime icing within clouds and a ceiling ranging between 800 and 1,000 feet. The pilot was reportedly aware of these meteorological conditions.
Data from radar and ADS-B surveillance indicated that the aircraft maintained the proper altitude while crossing the intermediate approach fix. However, approximately four miles prior to reaching the final approach fix, the aircraft began descending below the required altitude. The plane continued a steady descent until radar tracking was interrupted. No emergency communications were transmitted by the crew prior to the impact.
The aircraft struck the ground while traveling on a north-northwesterly heading, roughly five miles south of the runway threshold. The crash site was situated in elevated, wooded terrain at an elevation of approximately 1,880 feet, which was roughly 900 feet above the airport's elevation.
Findings
An inspection of the engines, propellers, and airframe following the accident showed no signs of mechanical malfunction or structural issues that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
It is believed that the pilot may have attempted to descend below the clouds to regain visual contact with the runway due to the weather. Because the low cloud cover obscured the rising terrain along the approach path, the accident resulted in controlled flight into terrain.