What happened
The aircraft departed under instrument flight rules (IFR) with a cleared RNAV (GPS) approach to its destination. While descending through 3,5-00 feet, the pilot was instructed to cancel the IFR clearance and transition to a new radio frequency. Shortly after, radar contact was lost as the aircraft reached 2,000 feet, a transition expected during the approach phase. The aircraft eventually struck an open pasture approximately 1.5 miles from the destination airport, resulting in 1 fatality.
During the approach, the aircraft was operating in low instrument flight rules (LIFR) conditions characterized by heavy clouds and fog. Flight data indicates the autopilot was initially engaged. When the aircraft was roughly one mile from the runway and 500 feet above airport elevation, the pilot disconnected the autopilot and began a right climbing turn, which aligned with the standard missed approach procedure. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced significant pitch and roll excursions, reaching a pitch of +20 degrees and a right roll of +47 degrees.
Findings
Investigation of the autopilot data revealed that the pilot activated the unusual attitude recovery mode to stabilize the aircraft. However, the pilot provided flight control inputs that conflicted with the autopilot's corrections. This struggle led to a brief descent followed by a rapid climb where the airspeed dropped to 16 knots, a speed significantly below the stall speed for any flap configuration. The aircraft likely entered an aerodynamic stall and descended rapidly into the terrain. While the impact angle suggests an attempt at a stall recovery, the altitude was insufficient to complete the maneuver.
Post-accident inspections found no mechanical issues with the engines, airframe, or autopilot systems. While trace amounts of various substances were found in the pilot's system, they were not determined to be at impairing levels. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while attempting to manage the aircraft during the missed approach in low-visibility conditions.