20150826014909A

On August 26, 2015, at approximately 2019 UTC, N90PS, a Cessna 310R was executing the published missed approach from the ILS 36 at Space Coast Regional Airport (tix) when it impacted the indian river 1.2 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was fatally injured.

The flight originated at orlando executive airport (orl). Approximately one hour before N90PS departed, the airman called Lockheed martin flight service station. Pre flight briefings were recovered which indicated the airman was concerned about the convective activity on his route of flight. The airman was advised by the briefer that he recommend the airman to call back before he departed to receive an update on the weather. There was no evidence of the airman calling flight service back.

At approximately 1955 UTC the aircraft departed orl on an instrument flight plan with the destination being tix. At 2005 UTC orlando ATC advised N90PS of the current weather at tix which was reported at 1650 UTC and was winds from 070 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 22 knots, visibility 3 miles with thunderstorms and rain showers, with a temperature of 23 degrees c, and a dew point of 22 degrees c. the pilot acknowledged and stated that he was setting up for the ILS 36 at tix. Upon initial contact with tix, the tower controller informed the pilot that the field was currently IFR. Subsequently, a landing clearance was issued for runway 36. At approximately 2017 UTC the pilot was unable to identify runway 36. Tix tower assigned N90PS the published missed approach from the ILS 36 and to contact orlando departure control. The pilot started to make a right turn; however, the published missed approach for the ILS runway 36 was to climb to 500 feet and then start a climbing left turn to 2,000 feet. The orlando departure controller asked the pilot if he wanted the published missed approach or to fly south and get out of the storm. The pilot stated he wanted to turn south and the controller then advised the pilot to turn right when able to a heading of 210 degrees. No further communications were received from N90PS. During the missed approach, the airplane climbed to approximately 1100 feet mean sea level (MSL), then dropped rapidly to 300 feet MSL with a reported ground speed of 249 knots, before radar contact was lost.

The FAA investigator in charge (iic) arrived on scene Wednesday evening, and was able to identify various pieces of metal that had floated to shore as belonging to an aircraft. The following day the NTSB iic arrived at the scene. The main wreckage was located in the indian river in about 6 feet of water. The debris field was compact and both engines were located about 40 feet apart. About 50 percent of the airplane was recovered and most pieces were 2 feet by 2 feet or smaller.

Components recovered included sections of the nosecone, seats, left wing spar, empennage and horizontal stabilizer, and both wing baggage compartment doors. Due to the lack of cables and controls recovered, flight control continuity could not be verified.