What happened
During an approach to the runway, radar data and eyewitness accounts indicated that the aircraft was traveling at an excessive speed. As the plane flew at a low altitude over the runway, the propeller made repeated contact with the ground. These strikes caused a significant loss of thrust and airspeed, making continued flight impossible. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground and a fire broke out.
Post-accident inspections of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft was configured with the landing gear and flaps in the retracted position. No mechanical failures were identified that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
Findings
Analysis of the aircraft's weight and balance indicated that the pilot was operating the aircraft beyond its certified limits for both weight and center of gravity.
Additionally, toxicology reports from the pilot's examination revealed the presence of Hydrocodone and Dihydrocodeine, which are sedating medications that can impair a pilot's ability to manage high-workload situations. Nortriptyline was also detected in the pilot's tissues. While the presence of these substances could have degraded performance, investigators could not definitively establish the exact role these medications played in the sequence of events.