Accident Overview
A nonscheduled domestic passenger air taxi flight experienced a stall and hard landing while executing a missed approach from a VOR/DME runway 22 approach at Wiley Field, Miles City, Montana. The aircraft sustained impact damage and skidded off the runway. Two occupants were injured, and four others escaped uninjured.
Flight and Approach Details
The pilot was flying the VOR/DME approach to Runway 22. After turning inbound from the procedure turn toward the final approach fix (FAF), the pilot engaged the autopilot in approach mode. Crossing the FAF, the pilot descended to the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and activated altitude hold. Upon reaching the missed approach point (MAP), the pilot initiated a missed approach. However, a passenger seated in the copilot's seat reported sighting the runway. The pilot also saw the runway and retarded the throttles to descend for landing.
Stall and Impact
As the throttles were reduced, the aircraft's nose pitched up abruptly, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft mushed to the ground, hitting hard and skidding off the runway surface.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause was the pilot's improper use of the autopilot and reduction of throttle power during approach in conditions of low ceiling, obscuration, and fog, leading to an inadvertent stall/mush and uncontrolled descent.