What happened
During a training session intended to be the third flight for a recently hired pilot, the aircraft was being operated by the student and an experienced instructor. The flight proceeded normally through an instrument approach under visual meteorological conditions. Following the approach, the crew executed a missed approach, which led the aircraft into a holding pattern at an altitude of 3,000 feet.
As the aircraft was performing the initial turn within the holding pattern, it experienced an uncommanded pitch-down and a rapid increase in speed. The aircraft type impacted a wooded area while in a nose-down attitude of more than 20 degrees. At the moment of impact, the aircraft was traveling at a speed greater than 250 knots with a slight right bank. There were no communications from the crew to air traffic control during the descent, and no distress signals were recorded. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in two fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a high-speed, nose-down descent during the first turn of a holding pattern.
- The aircraft pitched over and accelerated during the maneuver.