Accident Overview
An aircraft crashed into uneven, wooded terrain at an elevation of about 3,600 feet after a loss of radar contact. The accident occurred during a flight that began with a weather briefing that included advisories for icing along the intended route.
Flight History
During the flight, the pilot reported being "riding in the tops of the clouds" while cruising at 9,000 feet. The pilot requested and was cleared to climb to 11,000 feet. The airplane leveled off at 9,400 feet, then began another climb, reaching a maximum altitude of 9,700 feet. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a steep vertical descent, and radar contact was lost. The wreckage came to rest at an elevation of about 3,600 feet.
Examination Findings
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical failure of the airframe or engine. Satellite data obtained for the flight indicated the potential for icing in the area of the airplane's last radar return. The airplane was not approved for flight into known icing conditions.
Weight and Balance
An airplane weight and balance calculation revealed that the airplane's weight was about 2,945 pounds, and the center of gravity (CG) was about 142.88 inches at the time of the accident. According to the pilot operating handbook, the maximum certificated gross weight for the airplane was 2,740 pounds. Additionally, the CG range at the maximum certificated gross weight was about 128 to 138 inches.