Accident Sequence
A pilot and four passengers were nearing the completion of a cross-country business flight. While maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the controller asked the pilot if he could accept a shorter runway. The pilot initially said he could not, so he was instructed to enter a holding pattern for sequencing. Less than a minute later, the pilot indicated he could accept the shorter runway. He was then instructed to conduct a left 270° turn to enter the traffic pattern. The pilot initiated a left bank turn, and several seconds later the bank angle increased. The airplane subsequently entered a steep nose-down descent and impacted a shopping center parking lot approximately 1.6 miles from the destination airport.
Investigation Findings
A review of the airplane's flight data revealed that shortly after entering the left turn, as the airplane's bank increased, its airspeed decreased to about 59 knots. This was well below the manufacturer's published stall speed in any configuration. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engines disclosed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation concluded that it is likely the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin at a low altitude, from which the pilot was unable to recover.