What happened
While operating within instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude of approximately 30,800 feet—exceeding the service ceiling of the aircraft type by 800 feet—the pilot notified air traffic control that the cockpit instrumentation had failed. Approximately 36 seconds after this report, the aircraft began a right-hand roll. This rolling motion intensified to an angle of 105 degrees before partially recovering to 7el70 degrees, at which point the plane transitioned into a right descending turn. The aircraft remained in this descent until it disappeared from radar near the crash site. The impact occurred in an open field with the aircraft in a nose-down orientation, resulting in significant fragmentation of the airframe.
Findings
Investigations into the mechanical state of the aircraft showed that the engine, propeller, and flight control systems were functioning correctly prior to the crash. All trim settings were found to be within normal parameters, the landing gear and flaps were retracted, and the aircraft was within its permitted weight and balance limits. While a total electrical failure was ruled out because radio communication remained active, the specific origin of the instrument panel failure remains unknown. Although the pilot experienced a loss of primary flight data, secondary instruments such as the standby attitude gyro, compass, and the co-pilot's display units remained available for use. The investigation concluded that the pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft following the instrumentation malfunction.