What happened
On a flight from Salt Lake City Airport, Utah, to Penticton, British Columbia, a Piper Aerostar 602P, registration N88AT, was operating under instrument flight rules. The aircraft was carrying the pilot, three passengers, and two dogs. During the approach to Penticton, the pilot received weather updates indicating heavy snow, low visibility of one mile, and obscured skies with a vertical visibility of only 700 feet.
The pilot requested a localizer distance-measuring equipment B (LOC DME-B) approach for runway 16. Air traffic control issued an approach clearance that included a specific restriction: the procedure turn had to be completed within 13 miles of the airport to avoid potential conflicts with aircraft operating out of Kelowna. After reporting his position near the Penticton non-directional beacon, the aircraft ceased all radio communication.
Following the loss of contact, search and rescue operations were launched. The wreckage was located two days later in a forested area near the summit of Okanagan Mountain at an elevation of approximately 5,100 feet. The impact resulted in four fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft, though no post-crash fire occurred.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the pilot failed to follow the established procedures for the LOC DME-B approach to runway 16. Consequently, the aircraft drifted outside of protected airspace and descended below the minimum safe altitude required for the procedure turn, leading it to strike the terrain.
Contributing factors included the fact that the approach was conducted in weather conditions that made a landing nearly impossible. Additionally, it was noted that the pilot's medical certificate had expired one month before the accident.