What happened
During a flight intended for a funeral service, an aircraft entered a descending turn that led to a fatal impact. An eyewitness observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude, noting that at least one engine was running. The observer further reported seeing the plane in a slow, spiraling dive, though the aircraft did not complete a full rotation before the crash.
Radar tracking supported this observation, indicating the aircraft was in a left-hand descending turn at a rate of roughly 2000 feet per minute. The aircraft eventually struck the ground approximately 3 miles west of the airport. The impact occurred in a near-vertical orientation, with the forward portion of the airframe penetrating the earth. A fire broke out at the wreckage site following the collision.
Findings
Post-accident investigations of the wreckage and mechanical components revealed that the landing gear was in the retracted position. The flaps were set to 5 degrees, while the elevator and aileron trim remained in a neutral state. The rudder was found positioned 3 degrees to the left. While the engine showed evidence of internal and rotational damage, the primary factor in the accident was the near-vertical descent into the terrain.