What happened
During a scheduled local training operation at Sturgis-Kirsch Airport in Michigan, a twin engine airplane experienced a loss of control while approaching the runway. As the crew was performing the final approach phase of the flight, the aircraft entered a stall condition. This led to a crash several miles in front of the runway threshold.
The impact of the collision with the ground was severe enough to cause the total destruction of the airframe. A fire ignited following the initial impact, further consuming the wreckage. There were two fatalities recorded, as both occupants on board the aircraft perished in the accident.
Findings
Official investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was a failure to manage airspeed correctly. The investigation concluded that the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed, which directly resulted in the aerodynamic stall that preceded the impact.