What happened
While conducting a VOR/DME approach, the aircraft was in a circling pattern intended to land on runway 22. During this maneuver, the plane struck the ground roughly one-quarter mile northeast of the threshold for runway 22. The debris field resulting from the impact spanned about 350 feet.
Witnesses at the scene observed the aircraft experiencing a roll from left to right prior to the crash. At the time of the incident, the Eagle River AWOS was unavailable via VHF radio due to high levels of radio frequency congestion at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the airframe, engine, and navigational equipment showed no mechanical abnormalities or failures. However, investigators noted that a thin layer of rime ice, measuring about one-eighth of an inch, was present on the leading edges of the horizontal stabilizer and the left wing.
The investigation concluded that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the circling approach. Additional contributing environmental factors included descent below the minimum descent altitude, heavy fog, low cloud ceilings, and the presence of icing conditions.