What happened
Following the completion of a ferry flight involving two passengers, the pilot began a short cross-country journey in the newly purchased aircraft. During the preceding ferry flight, a passenger with piloting experience had been demonstrating the specific features of the new avionics suite and flight management system to the pilot. While the pilot had experience with a similar, older model, the specific avionics configuration of this aircraft was unfamiliar to him.
Shortly after departing, the pilot received instructions from air traffic control regarding a specific altitude and heading. Although the pilot initially acknowledged the instructions and indicated an intention to turn to a heading of 045, an audio tone matching the aircraft's stall warning horn was audible in the background of his radio transmissions. The pilot subsequently transmitted a message stating that he was going to crash, with distress evident in his voice.
Radar data indicated that the aircraft performed a climbing right turn after takeoff before losing speed and descending. The final radar contact recorded the aircraft at an altitude of 400 feet with a ground speed of 102 knots. The aircraft struck houses in a residential area, resulting in a post-crash fire. While the engines and propellers were found to be rotating at the time of impact, no mechanical abnormalities were identified that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
Findings
Investigation of the flight data and cockpit voice recorder suggests that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the departure phase. This loss of speed led to an aerodynamic stall. The pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific avionics and flight management systems of the new aircraft is also considered a contributing factor to the accident.