Accident Summary
A pilot conducting a solo night cross-country flight in low visibility through mountainous terrain was cleared by air traffic control to conduct an RNAV (GPS)-E instrument approach into the destination airport. After passing the final approach fix and before the missed approach point, the pilot executed a left turn consistent with the missed approach procedure. During the turn toward the holding waypoint, the airplane did not climb, and shortly thereafter impacted steep rising terrain.
Flight and Weather Details
The local weather at the time of the accident indicated a cloud ceiling of 1,200 ft above ground level and 1 statute mile visibility, which was below the published weather minimums for the approach. Data retrieved from the onboard avionics revealed that, although the pilot flew the published route in accordance with the instrument approach procedure, the minimum required altitudes were not adhered to. A preflight weather briefing generated by the pilot via ForeFlight indicated visual flight rules conditions at the destination with light snow in the vicinity at the time the briefing was created. However, the pilot checked METARs for the destination and another nearby airport before departure and viewed the approach procedure. Based on the preflight briefing, the pilot was likely unaware of the instrument flight rules conditions and below-minimum weather at the destination until descending into the area and obtaining current local weather during the flight.
Pilot Actions
It is probable that, based on the weather and flight track information, as the pilot was on the instrument approach, he became aware of the below-minimum weather conditions and elected to initiate the missed approach, as evident by the turn away from the airport similar to the missed approach procedure and the flaps and landing gear being in transition. The investigation was unable to determine why the missed approach procedure was prematurely initiated and why the airplane failed to climb.
Investigation Findings
A postaccident examination found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The probable cause, as stated in the official findings, was the pilot’s failure to adhere to the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.