What happened
The flight was intended for training purposes, specifically to perform check rides, practice approaches, and execute various airwork maneuvers including stalls and steep turns. Before departure, the crew informed air traffic control of their plans to move to a practice area for these maneuvers. At the time of the incident, cloud bases were reported at 3,500 feet MSL, while the terrain where the impact occurred sat at an elevation of 1,225 feet.
Witnesses observed the aircraft performing steep turns at a low altitude prior to the accident, with one observer noting the plane appeared to be circling as if preparing for a landing. The aircraft eventually struck the ground in a nose-down attitude with a slight left wing low position. While some observers believed they heard the engines sputter before the impact, post-accident inspections of both engines showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. The investigation also noted that the landing gear was extended at the time of the crash and that both propellers were producing equal power.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors to the accident. The primary cause was determined to be a loss of control during flight maneuvers. Key findings included:
- Inadequate altitude maintained by the pilot in command
- Improper execution of maneuvers
- Insufficient supervision by the check pilot
- Presence of cloud cover
The accident resulted in 2 fatalities.