Introduction
The aircraft was being flown on a short cross-country flight at night by an airline transport pilot (ATP). According to the accident investigation, the aircraft was not equipped with attitude gyro instruments. The available flight instruments included only a needle and ball, airspeed indicator, altimeter, and magnetic compass.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses on the ground reported hearing the engine before the crash. They described the engine sounds as if the pilot was performing stunts or sharp turns. Visibility was limited due to fog or cloud cover at approximately 600 feet, preventing them from seeing the aircraft. Suddenly, they observed a light that immediately descended toward the ground. At the same time, they heard the engine whine, as if the aircraft was in a dive. The light disappeared, and they heard a thud.
Wreckage Examination
The aircraft was located in a pond where it had crashed. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the aircraft or its engine.
Remarks
The investigation did not provide a stated probable cause for the accident.