Background
Before departure, the pilot indicated he did not want to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). He received a weather briefing indicating that ceilings west of his route would be lowering to IMC.
Event Sequence
At 2017:53, the pilot contacted air traffic control (ATC), requested weather information, and stated he was "trying to stay visual." At 2019:37, he reported being in IMC and requested an IFR clearance. ATC provided the weather and issued the clearance. The pilot subsequently reported that he had to concentrate on flying the airplane.
At 2024:05, the pilot stated he had a vacuum problem and a "panel situation." The controller then mentioned a flight plan change, but the pilot responded, "I'm going to have to fly the airplane." Shortly thereafter, contact with the airplane was lost, and it crashed in an uncontrolled descent.
Examination Findings
Metallurgical examination indicated that the vacuum-driven turn-and-bank indicator and directional gyro instruments were not rotating at the time of impact. The attitude gyro exhibited rotational impact signatures, but its rotation speed was not verified. The directional gyro rotor was capable of rotation about the central shaft.