Accident Sequence
The pilot and two passengers departed on an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country flight in night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot was instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to climb to 12,000 ft and then cleared to flight level 230 (FL230). During the climb from 6,500 ft to 8,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the pilot reported encountering freezing drizzle and light rime icing.
As the aircraft climbed through 11,600 ft msl, the pilot reported an issue with faulty deicing equipment and requested to return to the airport. The controller instructed the pilot to descend and cleared the aircraft back to the airport. When asked about an emergency, the pilot stated they had “blown a breaker” and were unable to reset it.
While descending, the pilot reported issues with faulty instruments at an altitude of about 4,700 ft. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain 5,000 ft, and the pilot responded that they were “pulling up.” No further communication was received.
Radar and Wreckage Data
Review of radar track data showed the aircraft’s departure and a straight-line flight path before a descending, right turn was observed. The turn radius decreased before the track ended. The aircraft impacted terrain in a right-wing-low attitude. The wreckage was scattered and highly fragmented along a path of about 570 ft.
Examination Findings
Various pieces of flight control surfaces and cables were found in the wreckage path, but control continuity could not be established due to fragmentation. No pre-impact anomalies were identified. Examination of both engines found rotational signatures and no pre-impact anomalies.
A review of maintenance records noted two discrepancies with the propeller deice and surface deice circuit breakers, which had been addressed by maintenance personnel. Impact damage prevented determination of which circuit breaker(s) the pilot was having issues with or examination of any deicing systems. Radio transmissions and transponder returns indicated the electrical system was operational before the accident.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the official findings, was the pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with a “popped” circuit breaker and communications with air traffic control.