What happened
Following a 3.5-hour cross-country flight under instrument flight rules, a single-engine turboprop was performing an instrument approach. Approximately 1.6 miles from the runway threshold, the aircraft initiated a climb that appeared to follow the published missed approach procedure. Instead of executing the prescribed left climbing turn toward the holding point, the aircraft entered a continuous left turn of roughly 270 degrees. During this maneuver, the aircraft's altitude fluctuated before it transitioned into a descending right turn, ultimately impacting the ground and trees. The impact occurred with the aircraft in a 60-degree nose-low attitude. No distress signals were transmitted prior to the crash, and a fire following the impact destroyed much of the fuselage and cockpit.
Findings
At the time of the accident, the pilot was operating in low IFR conditions characterized by mist, light to heavy snow, and gusting winds. The area was subject to several weather warnings, including moderate icing, moderate turbulence, and mountain obsculating conditions. While the pilot had received a weather briefing 17 hours prior to the accident, there was no evidence that updated weather information was reviewed before departure or during the flight.
An investigation of the engine and airframe showed no mechanical failures that would have prevented normal operation, though fire damage prevented a full inspection of the avionics. A previous instance of an avionics failure in this aircraft was noted, but it remains unclear if the pilot was attempting to navigate via secondary means or if the pilot experienced spatial disorientation. The prevailing weather conditions, including restricted visibility and turbulence, were highly conducive to the development of spatial disorientation, which aligns with the observed flight path and steep descent.