Flight Details
The pilot, the sole occupant of the twin-engine airplane, was conducting a flight from Albuquerque to Saint Louis with an intermediate stop in Joplin. The accident occurred during the approach phase at night under marginal weather conditions.
Accident Sequence
On the first approach, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and initiated a go-around. A second approach was also abandoned a few minutes later. During the third approach, low fuel reserves compelled the pilot to attempt an emergency landing on a highway. In limited visibility, the aircraft struck a highway bridge and crashed approximately 5 miles southeast of the threshold of runway 31. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be improper IFR operation on the part of the pilot, who took improper in-flight decisions. Contributing factors reported include rain, fog, low ceiling, low fuel, adverse/unfavorable weather, missing the second ILS approach, sighting the highway, attempting to land, and striking the bridge.