What happened
An instrument-rated private pilot and a passenger departed into instrument meteorological conditions characterized by a 600-foot cloud ceiling. The aircraft was operating approximately 550 lbs above its maximum gross weight at the time of departure. According to air traffic control records, the aircraft entered a climbing left turn that deviated from its assigned heading. Upon reaching an altitude of 1,400 ft msl, the aircraft continued a left-hand turn while experiencing fluctuations in both airspeed and altitude. The flight path transitioned into a left spiral, encompassing more than two full revolutions, before the aircraft decelerated during a right turn and underwent a rapid descent into the terrain. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported in the immediate impact, though the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
Investigations into the flight control system showed no signs of mechanical failure, and engine data indicated that the engine was operating normally. However, data retrieved from the autopilot system identified three distinct error codes. The initial error occurred roughly one minute after takeoff, which would have caused the autopilot to disengage if it had been active. The remaining errors occurred while the aircraft was already in an erratic flight state. Prior to the flight, the pilot had reported intermittent autopilot malfunctions to a mechanic, noting that the issues had not been resolved.
While toxicology reports indicated the pilot had used marijuana previously, no psychoactive compounds were present in the blood, suggesting the pilot was not impaired at the time of the crash. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely suffered from spatial disorientation due to the combination of instrument meteorological conditions and the increased workload caused by the malfunctioning autopilot system.