Accident Sequence
According to witnesses, the pilot initiated go-arounds after two attempts to land. One witness reported that during the second go-around, the aircraft passed by hangars near the departure end of the runway at hangar roof height with full flaps extended. Shortly thereafter, the airplane was observed to pitch up, yaw and roll to the left, then pitch down and collide with a bowling alley roof.
Rescue Efforts
During rescue operations, the three rear seat occupants were extracted from the wreckage. The two front seat occupants were still entangled in the aircraft when the building and airplane began burning.
Post-Accident Findings
During a post-accident investigation, the propeller control was found to be 1-1/4 inches from the full forward position, and the flap jack screw assembly was found in the fully extended position. The airplane was approximately 160 pounds over its maximum gross weight limit, and its center of gravity (CG) was approximately 0.3 inch forward of its most forward limit. Additionally, no record was found that the pilot had a formal checkout in the high performance airplane.