Accident Overview
The accident pilot had just completed a ferry flight on a recently purchased airplane with two passengers, one of whom was also a pilot. During the ferry flight, the passenger pilot was pointing out features of the new airplane, including the avionics suite. The accident pilot had previously flown a similar model but with a different avionics package; the new airplane's avionics and flight management system were unfamiliar to him.
Sequence of Events
After the ferry flight and after dropping off the passengers, the pilot departed for a short cross-country flight. Air traffic control recordings indicate that shortly after takeoff, a controller assigned the pilot a heading and altitude. The pilot acknowledged and stated he would turn to a heading of 045 degrees. The transmission sounded routine, with no concern noted in the pilot's voice. However, an audio tone consistent with the airplane's stall warning horn was heard in the background of the transmission.
The pilot then made a radio transmission stating he was going to crash. The stall warning tone was again heard, and distress was noted in his voice. The airplane impacted homes in a residential neighborhood, and a postcrash fire ensued.
Radar and Examination Findings
Review of radar data showed the airplane made a climbing right turn after departure, then slowed and descended. The final radar return indicated a ground speed of 102 knots and an altitude of 400 feet. Examination of the engines and propellers revealed they were rotating at impact, but the power output could not be determined. The airframe examination found no abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause stated: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during departure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of specific knowledge of the airplane's avionics.