What happened
The pilot and passenger were departing on a hunting trip, having loaded the aircraft with baggage that included four dogs and their respective cages. Prior to takeoff, the passenger secured himself in the right front seat. The pilot departed under instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions within instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed approximately 1.5 miles south of the airport. An eyewitness reported that the aircraft sounded lower than normal despite the engines being set at a power level higher than cruise settings. The witness observed the aircraft circling his residence before its speed increased. He further noted seeing the aircraft emerge from cloud bases in a nose-down, right bank attitude. The aircraft struck wooded terrain and a house, subsequently catching fire. The impact and resulting ground fire destroyed the aircraft, and both occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact part failure or mechanical malfunction. During the examination, the control yoke was discovered jammed to the left side, on the pilot's side.
Toxicology results for the pilot were negative for drugs. While the pilot's blood tested positive for ethanol, investigators noted indications of post-mortem ethanol production due to putrefaction. Medical records indicated the pilot had been treated for hypertension with atenolol; toxicology tests confirmed the presence of atenolol in the pilot's urine, though it was not found in the blood.