What happened
Following departure from runway 15L at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, the pilot of the aircraft reported an emergency via radio, noting that a fire had broken out beneath the side panel. The pilot indicated his intention to enter a holding pattern before attempting a landing. Eyewitnesses observed smoke and flames emanating from the cockpit area during the flight.
As the aircraft performed a left turn, it began a steady descent. The flight ended when the plane struck a residential house. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident, sustained fatal injuries.
Findings
An investigation of the debris field failed to pinpoint the exact starting point of the fire. However, investigators located a CB radio that showed signs of being integrated into the aircraft's electrical wiring. While the owners claimed this radio had not been installed prior to this specific flight, its presence was noted during the wreckage examination.
The investigation concluded that a fire erupted within the cockpit area under a side panel. This fire produced smoke and fumes that significantly impaired the pilot's visibility and ability to operate the aircraft effectively.