What happened
During a personal flight carrying four passengers, an aircraft was observed by a witness performing a slow climb immediately after departing from the airport. Another pilot operating in the same area reported seeing the aircraft engage in erratic maneuvering. Shortly thereafter, the plane struck the ground in a near-vertical orientation. The impact and subsequent fire completely destroyed the aircraft. All major components of the wreckage were located within a small area of the field.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed significant thermal damage to the engine and airframe, which restricted the depth of the post-accident analysis. However, the force of the impact, which drove the engine into the earth, indicated that the engine was likely producing power at the moment of impact. No mechanical anomalies were found in the remaining components that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
Several factors regarding the aircraft's weight and balance remained uncertain. Depending on the specific weight of the baggage, equipment, and fuel, as well as the exact positioning of the passengers, the center of gravity may have been at or behind the recommended limits. Because the exact fuel load and passenger distribution could not be confirmed, investigators could not determine if loading issues played a role.
Additionally, the pilot was flying without a valid medical certificate, as his second-class certification had expired several years earlier and there was no record of BasicMed authorization. While a passenger with pilot credentials was seated in the front right seat, investigators could not establish which person was controlling the aircraft during the final moments. The accident is consistent with a loss of control, though the specific trigger for this event remains undetermined.