Overview
A training flight involving a newly hired pilot and an experienced flight instructor ended in a fatal crash after the airplane experienced a pitch trim anomaly. The flight was the third session of the pilot’s initial training. After completing an instrument approach in visual meteorological conditions, the crew conducted a missed approach and proceeded to a holding pattern at 3,000 ft, which was consistent with a normal training profile.
Accident Details
As the airplane was completing the first turn in the holding pattern, it suddenly pitched over and began to accelerate. The aircraft impacted wooded terrain in a nose-down attitude exceeding 20°, with a slight right bank and at an airspeed of more than 250 knots. No distress calls were heard from the crew. At the time of the accident, they were not communicating with air traffic control and were not required to do so. The impact caused the airplane to disintegrate, and both occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a horizontal stabilizer pitch trim anomaly. However, the specific nature of the anomaly could not be identified from the available evidence.