Accident Overview
After takeoff, the pilot established radio contact with departure control and reported a directional gyro problem. Seconds later, he stated that he was losing all instruments. Departure control attempted to provide no-gyro vectors and instructed the pilot to change frequency. Shortly thereafter, radio and radar contact were lost, and the aircraft crashed. Before impact, the aircraft was observed in a rolling attitude.
Wreckage and Examination
The wreckage was scattered over an area measuring 600 feet by 150 feet. Examination revealed that the right wing had separated in flight, and evidence indicated the wing failed in an upward (positive) direction. The pilot's attitude gyro was damaged during impact, but no rotational damage was noted. The pilot's attitude indicator and copilot's turn indicator were air-driven, while the pilot's turn indicator was DC powered and the copilot's attitude indicator was AC powered.
Maintenance Records
The maintenance log did not contain a current static/altimeter and transponder check.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was stated as: Malfunction of one or more flight instruments for an undetermined reason, failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft with partial panel instruments after becoming spatially disoriented, and his exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft. The weather (low ceiling) and malfunctioning directional gyro were related factors.