What happened
While performing an ILS approach toward the destination airport, the pilot was instructed to report passing through 3,000 feet. No further radio communication was established following this instruction. The aircraft was subsequently located in a soft field approximately six miles from the airfield. At the time of the crash, the landing gear was retracted and the flaps were in the extended position.
A witness in the vicinity, a local fisherman, observed the aircraft performing maneuvers at a low altitude. The witness noted that while the engines appeared to be functioning normally, the pitch and intensity of the engine noise were fluctuating. The sound of the engines diminished significantly just moments before the impact was heard.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage identified evidence of a fire within the nose baggage compartment. This compartment houses the cabin heater, which had a documented history of recent mechanical discrepancies. The pilot, who was the only person on board the aircraft, was killed in the accident.