Flight Operations and Weather Conditions
The pilot initiated an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) journey from Lincolnton, North Carolina, to Concord, North Carolina. Prior to departure, he received a weather briefing from an FAA Automated Flight Service Station. The briefing indicated that conditions at Lincolnton included one hundred overcast skies, visibility limited to a quarter of a mile, and calm winds. Additionally, the service station reported that no weather data was available for Concord and that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) were unmonitored.
During the briefing, the pilot confirmed possession of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). However, he did not designate an alternate airport, which was mandatory given the prevailing weather conditions. Subsequently, a colleague from another company contacted the office to inform the pilot that he was canceling his flight due to the weather. The accident pilot acknowledged awareness that the glide slope was out of service and indicated he would likely delay his departure.
Departure and Approach
Despite these warnings, the pilot departed Lincolnton and established radio contact with approach control. Controllers informed him that the glide slope was inoperative and the ILS/DME remained unmonitored. The pilot received radar vectors and was subsequently cleared for an ILS approach. He was also instructed to report if he canceled his IFR flight on the ground or via the assigned frequency.
Accident Sequence and Investigation Findings
A witness residing near the airport reported hearing an aircraft approaching her location. She heard a distinct pop sound and observed nearby power lines shaking. At the time, fog reached halfway up the trees. After waking her son to investigate, he returned shortly after observing a crashed airplane.
Post-accident examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.