Accident Overview
A pilot, whose instrument currency could not be determined, initiated a night takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Shortly after departure, the aircraft crashed approximately 1.5 miles from the departure end of the runway. Impact evidence indicated the aircraft was in an 85° right bank, nose-down attitude at high speed.
Aircraft Condition
No preimpact part failure was found during the investigation. However, a pre-purchase inspection conducted on October 16, 1990, identified several discrepancies: an inoperative flight director, an autopilot malfunction, and a misrigged flight control system that caused the control wheel to indicate a left turn when the aircraft was in level flight. There was no record that these discrepancies had been repaired. The pitot-static system was last tested on March 24, 1988.
Pilot Medical Information
The pilot was taking Sine-Aid and Tylenol for a chronic sinus infection. Toxicological tests revealed the presence of 50.7 µg/ml of pseudoephedrine and 36.4 µg/ml of acetaminophen in the pilot's urine, but none in the blood. The sinus condition could have affected the pilot's balance and equilibrium.
Occupants
All six occupants were killed in the crash.
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's physical impairment from the chronic sinus infection.