Accident Sequence
A witness reported seeing the navigation lights of the airplane as it passed over the south end of the airport at an altitude of 150 to 200 feet above ground level during dark night conditions. The airplane then initiated a left turn, entering the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The turn continued in a descent until the airplane struck the ground in a near-vertical attitude.
Wind and Lighting Factors
During the turn, the wind shifted from a quartering headwind of 10 to 20 knots to a quartering tailwind. The airplane also turned toward a rural area where ground lighting was minimal.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane and its engines found no preimpact anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
Probable Cause
The official finding stated that the pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while executing a low-altitude turn during dark night conditions.