Incident Overview
A pilot and two passengers were flying to an airport to pick up a friend. The flight took place at night under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Witnesses observed the airplane flying at approximately 300 feet above ground level over the city, varying its headings and occasionally circling. One witness reported that the pilot 'seemed like he didn't know where he was going.'
Sequence of Events
The airplane proceeded toward the midfield point of the airport on a northerly heading. It collided with pine trees, then fell into the roof of a church located 150 feet farther north. The aircraft and the church were destroyed by fire.
Aircraft Configuration and Examination
Post-accident examination found the fuel selector valve positioned to the 'left aux' tank. According to the aircraft's operating procedures, auxiliary tanks were to be used only in level flight. The landing gear actuator indicated the gear was down, and the flaps were up. Propeller signatures indicated rotation in a power-producing mode at the time of impact.
Airport and Lighting Conditions
Runway lights for Runway 9/27 were illuminated at the time of the accident. The airplane's northerly heading was not aligned with any runway. The location of the airport did not require the city to be overflown.