Incident Overview
At approximately 0250 EST, control tower personnel at the Grand Rapids Airport heard a mayday call from aircraft N23TC. When they attempted to communicate with the aircraft, there was no response. The call was repeated several times. A check at the local airport revealed an aircraft was missing, and a search was initiated. The aircraft was not found until the following evening.
Crash Details
The aircraft crashed while in a steep nose-down, shallow left bank attitude. Pieces of wreckage were found up to 300 feet from where the aircraft impacted the ground. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found.
Pilot and Weather Conditions
The pilot was not instrument rated and was flying in adverse weather with low ceilings and visibility. Approximately 25 miles south-southeast at Grand Rapids, Michigan, the 0251 EST weather observation reported, in part: 300 feet overcast and 1.5 miles visibility with fog.
Toxicology Results
Prior to the flight, the pilot had been celebrating in a saloon. Toxicology checks of his lung tissue, fluid, and bile showed alcohol levels of 0.104% and 0.128%, respectively.