Accident Overview
An aircraft operated by a private pilot, who held an instrument rating, was destroyed following an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. The accident occurred during cruise flight.
Sequence of Events
While cruising, the pilot experienced a vacuum pump failure and reported difficulty managing the aircraft. During a turn, the pilot stated that he became completely disoriented. The aircraft subsequently lost control and struck the ground.
Pilot Report
The pilot communicated that he had lost the vacuum pump and was encountering some difficulty. He further reported that he was picking up ice and had requested a lower altitude to mitigate the icing conditions.
Weather Conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The presence of icing was explicitly noted in the pilot's reports.