What happened
The pilot departed from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, despite being advised of low ceilings and poor visibility along the entire proposed route. Air traffic personnel explicitly stated that visual flight rules (VFR) operations were not recommended under these conditions. During a discussion with individuals at the departure airport, the pilot indicated his intention to navigate by following the highway below.
Approximately 20 to 25 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a barnyard situated on level terrain. A witness observed the aircraft emerging from an overcast cloud layer at a high rate of speed. The witness described the engine noise as sounding like the aircraft was performing dives and stalls, with power levels fluctuating rapidly. At the moment of impact, the aircraft was in a steep nose-down attitude of approximately 45 degrees, with the right wing low by 70 to 80 degrees. The witness estimated that only about two seconds elapsed between the aircraft exiting the clouds and striking the ground.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the operational context of the flight. No pre-impact mechanical part malfunction or failure was found in the aircraft systems. The crash occurred on level terrain, and the witness account suggests a loss of control during an attempt to penetrate cloud cover.