What happened
During a night flight under visual flight rules, a Cessna 402 was returning to its destination following a trip to Florida to collect the newly purchased aircraft. While performing a descent, the pilot contacted Macon FSS to inquire about fuel availability. During a tight right-hand turn at approximately 5,300 feet MSL, the aircraft experienced significant and rapid altitude fluctuations. The plane dropped 2,600 feet in a span of 37 seconds before climbing 1,200 feet in the following 12 seconds.
Following these oscillations, the aircraft struck rising terrain at high velocity. At the time of the impact, the engines were operating at high power, as evidenced by the condition of the propeller blades. The local weather conditions involved partially obscured skies and fog. The accident resulted in three fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the crash highlighted that the pilot was not certified for multi-engine operations. Prior to the accident, a pilot representing the seller had flown with the accident pilot and noted significant difficulties with the aircraft's handling. Although this individual suggested that the pilot undergo further training before departing Florida, the pilot declined the recommendation. The lack of multi-engine rating was a critical factor in the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft during the flight.