Accident Overview
A pilot reported ice accretion while en route to his destination and subsequently requested and received a lower altitude from air traffic control. The flight was issued a clearance for a VOR-A approach to the Greensburg Airport.
Witness Accounts
A witness located north of the airport observed the airplane fly down runway 18 for a short period at about seven feet above the runway. The witness then saw the airplane begin to climb and fly off in a southerly direction. Other witnesses saw the airplane flying in the vicinity of the airport beneath an overcast ceiling estimated between 300 feet and 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL).
One witness, positioned about two miles south of the airport, reported seeing the airplane turn sharply left, drop its nose low, recover, drop its nose low again, and then descend from sight behind trees.
Investigation Findings
Investigators and rescue personnel discovered a large amount of ice debris along the flight path and outside the fire ring at the crash site.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be an inadvertent stall by the pilot in command. Factors associated with the accident were the icing conditions and low ceilings.