What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation, a twin engine airplane was performing its final approach toward the runway at Allentown Airport. During this phase of flight, the aircraft experienced significant instability and entered a spin. The plane struck the ground before reaching the runway, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe. There was only one person on board, the pilot, who was killed in the impact.
Findings
Investigation into the crash identified several critical contributing factors related to weight and balance. It was determined that the aircraft's center of gravity was improperly managed due to inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Specifically, the cargo within the plane shifted while the aircraft was on final approach, which led to a loss of lateral and pitch control. Witnesses at the scene noted that a cargo net had not been utilized to secure the load. This shifting mass caused the center of gravity to move in a manner that induced a stall when the pilot reduced power in an attempt to execute an emergency landing.