Accident Overview
The aircraft was cleared for an RNAV-B approach but crashed on hilly terrain approximately 3 miles southeast of the airport at an elevation of 750 feet mean sea level. Impact occurred after the aircraft turned to the south-southeast and was descending. The minimum descent altitude for the approach was 1,680 feet. No preimpact mechanical problems were identified.
Both occupants were killed in the accident.
Weather Conditions
Approximately four hours before takeoff, flight service station personnel provided a weather briefing. There was no weather reporting station at the destination, but the area forecast called for marginal visual meteorological conditions with isolated visibilities of 3 to 5 miles in light snow showers. Pellston, about 25 miles away, was forecast for a chance of 1,200-foot overcast and 3 miles visibility with light snow showers, but this information was not relayed to the pilot.
Later, when the pilot filed an IFR flight plan, he did not update his weather briefing. While en route, he checked the Pellston and Traverse City weather and was advised they had indefinite or obscured ceilings of 1,500 feet or less with gusty winds and light snow squalls. Witnesses reported snow showers or squalls in the accident area with visibilities of 1/4 to 3/4 miles.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause findings included an in-flight encounter with weather, with the following factors: inadequate preflight planning by the pilot, inadequate preflight briefing by ATC personnel (FSS), weather conditions including low ceiling, snow, high wind, gusts, obscuration, and conditions below approach/landing minimums. Additionally, the pilot did not follow IFR procedures, failed to maintain minimum descent altitude, and did not correct the descent, leading to an in-flight collision with terrain.