What happened
While operating under instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot received clearance to descend to 4,000 feet to receive radar vectors for a non-precision instrument approach. Radar tracking data from the final 83 seconds of the flight showed the aircraft type leveled at 4,000 feet for approximately 35 seconds before fluctuating between 3,800 and 3,900 feet. During this period, the airspeed dropped significantly from 131 knots to 57 knots.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane in a descending spin, with one observer noting that the engine appeared to be functioning. Analysis of engine telemetry indicated that power was increased near the stall speed, suggesting an attempt to recover from the loss of airspeed. The aircraft eventually struck the ground in a low-speed impact characterized by rotation around the vertical axis. No emergency communications or reports of malfunctions were made by the pilot to air traffic control prior to the crash.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the aircraft found no mechanical failures or anomalies that would have prevented standard operation. However, the pilot had only completed 14 hours of flight time in this specific aircraft. Prior to the accident, an instructor had suggested the pilot required additional flight time in visual meteorological conditions to improve familiarity with the cockpit's navigation equipment, radios, and switches. The low airspeed was a critical factor in the sequence of events leading to the impact.