Accident Details
A twin-engine airplane stalled and crashed while descending to Sonoma-Skypark under night and low cloud conditions. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries. A witness at the airport reported hearing the aircraft flying low over a hangar, turning south, followed by engine surges and then silence. At the time of the accident, visibility was two miles or less.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause was a stall during traffic pattern-circling after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. Contributing factors included attempted operation beyond the pilot's experience and ability level, poor judgment, and the low ceiling.
Witness Observations
The witness noted the aircraft's engines surged before the final silence, indicating a loss of power or control during the maneuver. The low clouds and reduced visibility likely compounded the challenges of the night landing.