Accident Sequence
The private pilot, who had owned the airplane and flown it in actual instrument meteorological conditions for many years, successfully conducted a localizer approach. She descended through a cloud layer into visual conditions about 500 feet above ground level. While in radio contact with air traffic control, the airplane pitched up, then down, and descended rapidly into swampy terrain.
Pitch Trim History
During the approximately 45-day period before the accident flight, the pilot experienced problems with the manual and electric pitch trim. The trim would stick or exhibit stiffness when she attempted to move it toward the nose-up position. The issue was addressed twice by a maintenance repair facility at the pilot's home airport and once by an avionics repair facility. Despite these efforts, the pilot continued to report trim stiffness. The pilot's husband, who was also a certificated pilot, did not notice any trim problems during a recent long cross-country flight.
Postaccident Examination
An examination of the wreckage, including the pitch trim system, revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The aft pitch trim jackscrew required slightly more force to turn toward the nose-up position compared to the nose-down position, but it moved freely by hand in both directions. Fresh grease was observed on both the forward and aft pitch trim jackscrews. The flaps were found fully extended, and the pitch trim was found in a nose-up position, consistent with a normal approach and landing descent.