Accident Overview
During the initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot failed to maintain directional control and altitude. The airplane entered a right descending spiral and impacted terrain 2 miles west of the airport.
Flight Details
The pilot had taken off from runway 19, elevation 125 feet msl, under a 600-foot overcast sky. After departure, the pilot commenced a right climbing turn and reported climbing through 1,100 feet and 1,600 feet msl. The radar controller informed the pilot that the airplane's Mode C transponder signal was not being received. Shortly thereafter, the controller observed one radar hit and then lost contact with the airplane.
Radar Data
All recorded radar data from the area around the airport at the time of the accident was reviewed. The FAA indicated that this location was covered by only one long-range radar site below 5,000 feet. When the recorded radar data was filtered to search for targets within a 10 nm radius up to 5,000 feet, the subject airplane was observed only once on a transponder code of 3311. The target had an invalid Mode C code and no radar reinforcement. The approximate distance and bearing from the end of runway 19 to this radar hit was 2.3 nm at 261 degrees magnetic. The distance and bearing from the radar hit to the crash site was 0.6 nm at 042 degrees magnetic.
Further examination of the radar data revealed three additional non-Mode C (primary) targets southwest of the airport at 0929:22, 0929:58, and 0930:22. The calculated ground speeds between these hits and the previously identified Mode C target were 75, 131, and 163 knots, respectively.
Wreckage Examination
During the airframe and engine examination, no evidence of any mechanical failure or malfunction was found. However, neither the artificial horizon nor the directional gyroscope were recovered from the 50-foot deep pond where the wreckage came to rest. The airframe was found accordioned in an aft direction, and the wings were fragmented. Evidence was found that could document the pilot's instrument flying currency and familiarity with the make and model airplane.