Accident Overview
An aircraft operating under an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) was destroyed in a crash following a period of lost radio and radar contact. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
Approach and Loss of Contact
The pilot had initially executed a missed approach after flying a localizer back course 27 approach. Subsequently, while conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 09L, air traffic control lost both radio and radar contact with the aircraft.
Wreckage Location
The aircraft wreckage was located on the inbound approach course, approximately half a mile east of the Saige locator outer marker (LOM). The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire.
Pilot Incapacitation
An autopsy and review of the pilot's medical history led investigators to conclude that the pilot was incapacitated at the time of impact. The pilot's flight time was not reported, and his personal flight logs were not located.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be:
- Loss of control in flight during the approach phase (FAF/outer marker to threshold under IFR).
- In-flight collision with terrain/water during the approach phase (FAF/outer marker to threshold under IFR).
A contributing finding was physical impairment (other cardiovascular) on the part of the pilot-in-command.