Accident Overview
On the accident flight, the airplane departed from Wellington Airport and was returning to the airport when witnesses observed the aircraft "twisting and falling straight down." The airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. The pilot was the sole occupant and had also performed the engine overhaul and the ferry flight.
Background
The airplane had been delivered to its owner after undergoing a major engine overhaul at Newburgh, New York. The private pilot was also the mechanic who performed the overhaul and the ferry flight from Newburgh to Wellington. During the ferry flight, the aircraft was refueled, with the last refueling occurring between 4.2 and 4.5 flight hours prior to the accident.
Investigation Findings
Post-crash inspection revealed no indications of fuel or propeller rotation at the time of impact. Investigators found no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or the engine. The examination did not identify any pre-existing mechanical issues that could have contributed to the accident sequence.