What happened
Shortly after departing, the aircraft entered a descent into a wooded area, impacting the trees roughly eight minutes into the flight. During the descent, the aircraft struck the vegetation at a glide angle of 8°. This angle was steeper than the 6° glide angle specified in the pilot's operating handbook for a power-off forced landing.
All seven occupants of the aircraft perished in the accident. The passengers included tourists from Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, along with the American pilot.
Findings
An examination of the wreckage and the engine components provided several key details regarding the crash. Investigators noted that the propeller showed no signs of rotational damage, suggesting the engine was not producing power at the moment of impact. A detailed teardown of the engine identified that the #1 cylinder experienced catastrophic detonation, which served as the primary mechanical failure.