Background
The pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan for a trip from North Palm Beach, Florida, to a visual flight rules (VFR) airport in Mooresville, North Carolina, with an intended arrival at 1200. An abbreviated weather briefing was obtained prior to departure.
Weather Information
Forecasts for the destination airport indicated an overcast ceiling at 1,000 feet, visibility 5 miles, with light rain and mist. The closest terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) was for Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, about 30 miles south of the accident site. At 1026, the TAF called for an overcast ceiling at 400 feet, visibility 2 miles, with moderate rain and mist. By 1131, the forecast was overcast ceiling at 400 feet, visibility 1.5 miles, with light rain and mist. Between 1200 and 1600, conditions were forecast to improve to a 700-foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility. The pilot did not obtain any weather updates during the flight.
Flight and Diversion
Upon arriving in the Charlotte area, air traffic control cleared the pilot to begin a descent. The pilot inquired about the weather at the destination and was informed it was IFR. The pilot then requested and received clearance to divert to Statesville Regional Airport. Controllers vectored the aircraft and subsequently cleared it for the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 28 at Statesville.
Approach and Accident Sequence
The pilot reported flying the ILS approach with the autopilot engaged, completing the before-landing checklist, and lowering the flaps to 50 percent and then to 100 percent. The pilot stated he did not recall descending below the clouds or any events related to the accident.
Witnesses observed the airplane emerging from clouds over the runway. An increase in engine power was heard, and the airplane began a right turn, re-entering the clouds. The pilot initiated a circling approach without ATC clearance and without the required weather minima for such a maneuver. Witnesses heard the airplane north of the airport while still in clouds and later saw it below clouds on the south side of Runway 28, traveling from southeast to northwest. The airplane crossed the runway, entered clouds again, then exited, executing a steep right turn followed by a left turn. The nose then pitched down, and the airplane collided with trees and the ground.
Post-Accident Observations
At the crash site, the flaps were found extended to 100 percent. The checklist for a balked landing specifies setting flaps at 50 percent, maintaining an airspeed between 75 and 85 KIAS until clear of obstacles, then retracting flaps to 0 percent.