What happened
At the conclusion of the second leg of a long cross-country flight, the pilot cancelled an IFR flight plan approximately seven miles south of the destination airport. The first leg of the flight lasted roughly three hours and 40 minutes, during which the pilot reported unexpected high winds that slowed progress, necessitating a diversion to an alternate airport for refueling.
The second leg lasted approximately four hours and 50 minutes. Toward the end of this leg, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was accumulating mild rime ice on the wings and windshield and indicated a need to descend due to both the icing and the fuel situation.
A witness at the airport observed the pilot communicating intentions over the Unicom frequency, stating the aircraft was entering a left downwind for runway 17. While the initial position in the downwind leg appeared normal, the aircraft remained on that leg for an extended period. When the aircraft transitioned from the base leg to final approach, it was positioned three to four miles from the runway threshold. The aircraft was observed flying a vertical approach path significantly lower than standard procedures for that runway. Approximately one mile from the runway end, at an estimated altitude of 200 feet above ground level, the aircraft suddenly rolled steeply to the right and entered a descending turn into the terrain. The pilot had been making normal position calls both before and after entering the pattern and did not indicate any mechanical difficulties. At the time of the accident, winds were reported from 210 degrees at 24 knots, with gusts to 36 knots.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the airframe and engines revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.