December 13, 2009, Truckee, Calif., TBM 700

At about 1738 Pacific time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following an aborted landing. The instrument-rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot subsequently picked up some light rime ice during the approach and turned on all of the airplanes deicing equipment.

Monday, January 25, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane was substantially damaged and impacted terrain 1/2 mile off the departure end of Runway 28 following an aborted landing, though the pilot and passenger were uninjured.
The incident occurred in instrument conditions with rime ice and fog partially covering the runway, leading the pilot to attempt landing beyond the obscured portion.
The pilot initiated a go-around just prior to touchdown due to insufficient runway remaining, subsequently crashing after a warning horn sounded and he pitched down into trees.

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The pilot subsequently picked up some light rime ice during the approach and turned on all of the airplanes deicing equipment. Approaching the published missed approach point, the pilot established visual contact with the runway and canceled IFR. As he entered a downwind for Runway 28, the pilot noticed the approach end was covered in fog but the remainder was clear. He decided to land beyond the fog.

Just prior to touchdown, the pilot determined he didnt have enough runway remaining and decided to go around. He applied power, pitched up and retracted the landing gear. A warning horn sounded and the pilot pitched the nose down, but saw only snow and trees. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees and terrain about mile off the departure end of Runway 28.