Flight Details
During an instrument climb-out from Teterboro Airport, the pilot was advised by departure control that he was in radar contact and instructed to climb and maintain 4000 ft. The pilot acknowledged this transmission at a radar recorded altitude of 1800 ft MSL. The flight was recorded reaching an altitude of 2800 ft MSL before starting a descent.
Witness Observations
Numerous witnesses observed the airplane descending out of the clouds. One witness described the descent as a spin with no forward motion.
Wreckage Examination
On-scene wreckage examination of the left propeller revealed one blade bent aft approximately 120 degrees, while the other blade was straight and not bent. The propeller was not in the feathered position. A teardown of the left engine disclosed that two of six fuel injector nozzles were restricted. The last documented fuel injection system cleaning was in 1985. The manufacturer recommends cleaning every annual inspection or 100 hours.
Weight and Balance
The airplane was 188 lbs over maximum gross weight, with its center of gravity approximately 1 inch aft of the maximum aft limit. An aft CG increases VMC airspeed.