What happened
While performing a climb from 5,000 feet to a target altitude of 10,000 feet, the aircraft reached a peak of 6,300 feet before losing altitude and drifting from its intended path. During the descent, the pilot issued a mayday distress call, reporting that the aircraft had entered a spin. Eyewitnesses near the crash site observed the aircraft descending through cloud cover in a nose-down spiral. At the time of the incident, the area was under two active AIRMET warnings: one for wind shear and moderate turbulence below 18,000 feet, and another for moderate rime or mixed icing in clouds and precipitation below 8,000 feet. Other pilots operating in the vicinity reported encountering moderate rime icing between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, as well as light turbulence and instrument meteorological conditions.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the airframe and engine showed no signs of mechanical failure or malfunction. Specifically, the de-ice ejector flow control valves for the empennage and both wings were tested, and all pneumatic boots functioned correctly when powered. The investigation focused on the environmental conditions, as the aircraft was operating within active warnings for turbulence and icing during the flight phase.