What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot and flight instructor intended to conduct a one-hour training session. The pilot, who had accumulated approximately 51 hours of pilot-in-command time in the aircraft type, had previously received 58 hours of dual instruction from the instructor in this specific airplane. During the flight, witnesses observed the aircraft performing a sequence of maneuvers that included a sharp turn and a vertical ascent. One witness noted the aircraft entered a left bank and transitioned into a nose-down attitude of approximately 75 degrees at an altitude of roughly 300 feet above ground level.
It is believed the pilot was attempting a go-around when the aircraft was pitched up excessively, leading to a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently struck flat desert terrain approximately 100 feet north of the active runway at the midfield point, maintaining a steep, nose-down, and left-wing-low attitude. The impact and subsequent thermal damage resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. There were no known fatalities reported in the provided text, though the aircraft was lost.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the airframe and both engines showed no mechanical failures that would have prevented normal flight. The propellers exhibited scoring and twisting, which is consistent with the engines being under power at the moment of impact. Toxicological analysis of the pilot showed no presence of drugs or alcohol.
However, testing of the flight instructor revealed the presence of THC, suggesting recent marijuana use, though the specific impact on performance could not be confirmed. Additionally, the instructor's medical records indicated several underlying health conditions and the use of sedating benzodiazepines that would typically disqualify an individual from holding a medical certificate. While no active impairment from these medications was detected in the instructor's tissues, the excessive pitch during the go-around attempt was the primary factor in the loss of control.