Flight Operations
The flight departed under an IFR flight plan but did not proceed on its assigned northwest course. Instead, it continued in a southwest direction without maintaining a consistent heading or altitude. The pilot elected to land the airplane.
Air traffic control provided altitude and heading assignments for a surveillance approach to Augusta Regional at Bush Field. The pilot did not maintain these assigned headings and altitudes. The controller issued a low altitude alert indicating 600 feet and instructed the pilot to climb.
Witness Observations
A ground witness observed the airplane flying erratically beneath the clouds at treetop height. The aircraft dipped to the right, then to the left, and subsequently nosed down into trees and the ground.
Pilot Experience and Statements
A review of the pilot's logbook revealed 13.9 hours of actual instrument time and 102.4 hours of simulated instrument time. A witness at the departure airport reported that the pilot checked the weather and mentioned “talking about flying south to avoid rain, and then heading west from there.”
An instrument-rated pilot monitoring air traffic control frequencies heard the accident pilot state over the radio that he was trying to fly through holes in the clouds.
Weather and Radar Data
WSR-88D Doppler weather radar Level III images showed an area of precipitation approximately 10 miles west of the departure airport, extending about 20 miles from north to south. The accident site corresponded with the southeast edge of this precipitation area.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe, engine, and components revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.