What happened
During a personal cross-country flight under instrument meteorological conditions, an instrument-rated pilot was performing an RNAV GPS Y approach. To maintain separation from a preceding aircraft, air traffic control canceled the pilot's approach clearance and instructed a heading change. The pilot acknowledged this instruction.
Radar data and surveillance footage indicate that after receiving the new heading, the aircraft began a left climbing turn, ascending from 5,600 to 5,800 feet. The aircraft continued through the assigned 270 heading before entering a rapid descent. During this descent, the aircraft disappeared from radar, and communication with the pilot was lost. The final radar return placed the aircraft at 5,100 feet.
The aircraft struck a television tower guy wire, several power lines, and the terrain, eventually coming to a stop in an open field approximately 800 feet from the tower. Witnesses reported seeing a large flash of light and observing the tower collapse. Post-accident inspections of the engine showed evidence of rotation at the time of impact, and no mechanical failures were identified that would have prevented normal operation.
Findings
Investigation into the accident identified several environmental factors that contributed to the loss of control. At the time of the incident, weather conditions at the destination airport were suitable for ice accumulation. It is believed the aircraft likely encountered light structural icing during its descent, which may have compromised controllability.
Additionally, the aircraft encountered wind gusts reaching 31 knots during the turn. The combination of night flight, instrument meteorological conditions, and these atmospheric disturbances likely led to spatial disorientation of the pilot. This disorientation resulted in the loss of control and the failure to avoid the tower guy wire and power lines.