What happened
During a night flight under instrument meteorological conditions, an aircraft was performing an instrument landing system (ILS) approach toward its destination. While communicating with approach control, the pilot was notified on two separate occasions that the aircraft had drifted to the right of the intended approach course. In response to the first deviation, the controller recommended a slight left turn to correct the track. After the aircraft returned to the inbound course, the pilot was instructed to switch frequencies to contact the tower controller. However, the pilot failed to establish contact with the tower and instead re-established communication with the approach controller to receive radar vectors for a second ILS approach attempt.
During this second approach, the controller again alerted the pilot to a deviation to the right of the course and issued a low altitude warning. The pilot then initiated a climb and a turn to intercept the inbound course. When the controller noted that the aircraft would intercept the inbound course at the locator outer marker (LOM) and offered the option to abort the approach, the pilot declined and stated the intention to continue. Following this transmission, all communication ceased. The aircraft subsequently struck a building located approximately 0.4 nautical miles from the LOM, leading to a fire that nearly destroyed both the structure and the aircraft.
Findings
Post-accident investigations confirmed that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions present in the aircraft. The investigation concluded that the combination of difficult visibility and the aircraft's turning ground track contributed to pilot spatial disorientation.