The airplane was destroyed at about 1145 Eastern time upon impacting Croatan Sound during a go-around at a nearby airport. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed; the airplane was operating on an IFR clearance.
A witness stated the airplane broke out of the clouds at about 300 feet agl and appeared to be too high and too fast. The airplane then commenced a climbing left turn and the pilot announced on the CTAF that the airplane was on a left base. The airplane entered the clouds, disappeared and never landed. The airplane subsequently was recovered from 14 feet of water.
