What happened
A commuter aircraft, operating a flight from Moab, Utah, toward Grand Junction, Colorado, was executing an RNAV direct approach via the Macks intersection. Following the crossing of the Macks intersection, the aircraft initiated a right turn intended to intercept the localizer course. However, the flight path drifted east of the intended localizer track.
During the approach, the pilot contacted air traffic control to report receiving what appeared to be an erroneous signal on the ILS, noting a distance of twelve miles. Controllers informed the pilot that no other aircraft had reported similar difficulties. Approximately one minute after this communication, the aircraft type struck a mesa located roughly five miles to the left of the localizer course. The impact resulted in the destruction of the cockpit and the deaths of all three occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that all airport navigational aids were subsequently flight-checked and found to be functioning correctly, with no discrepancies identified. While VMC conditions were not present at the airport, the accident site was situated above the reported ceiling height. The investigation focused on the pilot's report of an erroneous signal despite the verified integrity of the ground-based navigational equipment.