Accident Sequence
The student pilot, who was the new owner of a multi-engine airplane, and a private pilot traveled commercially to Lubbock, Texas, and used a ride-hailing service to reach Portales, New Mexico. They met the former owner to finalize the purchase and flew the airplane back to Georgia the same day. The following day, the student pilot began flight training with the private pilot, who offered instruction despite lacking a flight instructor rating and a multi-engine airplane rating.
Radar data indicated the accident airplane's route included a departure airport, a midway stop, and a third leg where the crash occurred during approach to the destination airport. Witnesses observed a sharp right turn followed by a spiraling descent and impact with terrain and unoccupied semi-trailers. Surveillance footage from a parking lot security camera captured the airplane in a right spiral turn just before the accident.
Postaccident Findings
The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. Examination of the airframe, engines, and propellers revealed no anomalies that would preclude normal engine and airplane performance. A review of the maintenance logbook showed the airplane was overdue for its annual maintenance inspection; no special flight permit (ferry permit) was obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its return flight to Georgia.
Toxicological testing of the student pilot detected the presence of amphetamine, a prescription Schedule II controlled substance that may result in cognitive deficits posing a risk to aviation safety. However, its effect on the accident flight could not be determined.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the private pilot’s loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s decision to obtain flight instruction from the private pilot and the private pilot's insufficient qualifications to fly or to provide flight instruction in a multi-engine airplane.