Accident Overview
Richland Flight #101, a bank check courier flight, departed under visual flight rules (VFR) carrying 180 pounds of cargo. The aircraft crashed at an approximate 45-degree nose-down attitude with the landing gear and flaps retracted. The terrain at the crash site was flat and open.
Communication and Flight History
The last radio transmission from the aircraft occurred six minutes before the crash. During that transmission, the pilot received a routine landing weather advisory. No further communications were recorded.
Pilot Background and Condition
A review of the pilot's activities over the five days preceding the accident revealed that her food intake was erratic and that she was operating on a hectic schedule. The amount of food and rest she had in the 24 hours before the crash is unknown. A relative stated that the pilot was psychologically well adjusted.
Wreckage Examination
Due to fire damage, control continuity within the wreckage could not be confirmed. Examination of the engine found no evidence of a pre-impact malfunction. The following autopilot mode light bulbs exhibited stretched filaments: ALT (upper), HDG (upper), FD (upper), VOR, NAV (upper), AP (upper), and BC (upper).
Autopsy Findings
An autopsy determined that the radio microphone was in the pilot's right hand at the moment of impact.