Accident Circumstances
The pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight to reposition the aircraft at Defiance, Ohio. In the vicinity of Malinta, Ohio, several witnesses heard or observed the aircraft circling for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Among those who heard the engine sounds, about half reported the engines sputtering off and on, while others noted the engine power increasing and decreasing multiple times. One witness specifically stated that the engines seemed to lose power during descents but would regain power as the aircraft entered a climb. This pattern occurred twice. On the third descent, the aircraft crashed approximately two miles from the Henry Airport. The airport was equipped with radio-activated runway lights.
Impact and Wreckage
The impact occurred at a descent angle of 19 degrees with a slight right wing low attitude. An examination of the wreckage was conducted, but no evidence of pre-impact part failure or malfunction was found.
Fuel and Weather Information
According to reports, the aircraft had departed Detroit, Michigan with 565 pounds of fuel. An estimated 300 pounds would have been used en route to Cleveland, and another 300 pounds to the accident site. The operator estimated that the aircraft left Cleveland with 70 gallons of fuel. At 0620 EDT on October 3, 1983, the pilot obtained a weather briefing for a previous flight.