Flight History
The flight departed in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Shortly after takeoff, the pilot failed to maintain assigned headings on multiple occasions and had to be corrected by air traffic control (ATC). Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported problems with the right engine and requested to return to the airport. ATC advised that Craig Airport was available and reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, but the pilot declined, stating the 4,000-foot runway at Craig was not long enough. Instead, the pilot opted to continue to Jacksonville International Airport (Jax Int'l), which was reporting IFR conditions.
Engine Failure
Post-crash inspection of the right engine revealed significant mechanical damage. The #5 cylinder had detonated to the point of burning a hole in the piston. Additionally, the #5 and #6 connecting rods exhibited burn damage, and the #6 rod bolts had failed in overload.
Loss of Control
While being vectored for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, the pilot continued to have difficulty maintaining assigned headings. While on the downwind leg, the pilot asked ATC, 'how far is 982 from landing?' As the aircraft was turned onto the localizer, the pilot called and stated that control had been lost and the aircraft was in a spin. The aircraft subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot was killed and both passengers were injured.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause includes: a partial loss of engine power due to a mechanical failure involving a burned piston and disconnected connecting rod; improper in-flight planning/decision-making by the pilot; failure to maintain airspeed (Vmc) resulting in a stall/spin; and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of aircraft. Contributing factors were low ceiling, fog, and the pilot not feathering the propeller.