What happened
On February 16, 2008, a Cessna 414A, registration N41LP, departed Lloyd Stearman Field Airport (1K1) in Benton, Kansas, for a repositioning flight to Wichita. The flight was intended to pick up an additional passenger before continuing to Austin, Texas.
At approximately 1845 CST, the aircraft entered a left turn and impacted trees located roughly 4,500 feet northwest of the airport. The impact was followed by a post-impact fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot and his passenger sustained 2 fatal injuries.
Witnesses near the airfield observed the aircraft flying in and out of clouds and noted that the airplane appeared to descend below the tree line during its turn. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with low clouds, rain, and mist.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the initial impact point involved the tops of several trees, where fragments of the left winglet and red lens pieces were recovered. A debris path led from the trees to the main wreckage in an open field.
Mechanical examination of the Cessna 414A revealed that the engines showed signs of normal operation and the primary flight controls were functional. The landing gear was found in the down and locked position.
Weather analysis confirmed that the area was under an AIRMET for instrument conditions, with visibility restricted by rain and mist. Radar data also indicated reflectivity values consistent with precipitation in the vicinity of the accident site.