Incident Overview
An aircraft was vectored to intercept the localizer course for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 10 at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The aircraft flew through and to the north of the localizer course. Air traffic control then directed the pilot to turn left to a heading of 360 for resequencing, but the aircraft was observed making a 360-degree turn to the right instead.
Flight Path and Maneuvers
Radar tracking revealed the aircraft in a right turn, completing almost 360 degrees of turn. During this turn, there was a steady decay in groundspeed accompanied by erratic altitude excursions. Subsequently, the aircraft executed an abrupt course reversal, with rapid groundspeed decay and continued erratic altitude changes. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a house in a residential section of Columbia, coming to rest in an inverted position.
Aircraft and Pilot Factors
Investigation determined that the aircraft's aft center of gravity (CG) limit was exceeded. According to the examination, this condition would result in a deterioration of the aircraft's dynamic stability, producing exaggerated responses to otherwise normal control inputs. Additionally, the pilot had not logged any instrument time or instrument approaches during the six months preceding the accident.