What happened
After taking off in foggy conditions, a Piper PA 34-200T collided with trees located in hilly terrain approximately 8 miles southwest of the airport. The pilot, who was a private pilot without multi-engine or instrument ratings, reported that the aircraft experienced a loss of power in the left engine during the flight. Following the power loss, the pilot did not execute the required emergency procedures for an engine failure.
The investigation
An examination of the engine was conducted and revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions. Further investigation into the pilot's credentials and records held by the FAA in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, uncovered several regulatory discrepancies. At the time of the accident, the pilot's medical certificate had expired, and he lacked an airplane multi-engine class rating as well as an instrument airplane rating. Additionally, there was no proof of a current biennial flight review. A review of the pilot's airmen records also showed three previous suspensions of his private pilot certificate due to violations of Federal Aviation Regulations.