What happened
The pilot obtained a weather briefing from an FAA Automated Flight Service Station prior to an IFR flight departing Lincolntion, North Carolina, for Concord, North Carolina. The briefing indicated that Lincolnton had 100 overcast ceilings and visibility of only a quarter of a mile with calm winds. At the destination of Concord, no weather information was available, and it was noted that the ILS and DME were unmonitored. Although an alternate airport was required due to the weather, the pilot did not list one.
During the briefing process, another pilot contacted the office to cancel a flight due to the weather conditions; the accident pilot acknowledged awareness of the out-of-service glide slope and indicated he might delay his departure. Upon departing Lincolnton, the pilot established contact with approach control. The controller confirmed that the glide slope was out of service and the ILS/DME was unmonitored. The pilot was provided radar vectors and cleared for the ILS approach, receiving instructions to report canceling IFR upon landing.
A local witness reported hearing an airplane approaching her location, followed by a "pop" sound and the sight of a power line shaking. She noted that fog was halfway up the trees at the time. Her son, who went to investigate the noise, subsequently observed the crashed airplane.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine assembly and accessories was conducted. The investigation revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.