What happened
Approximately two and a half hours prior to departure, the pilot conducted a preflight weather briefing for an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country mission. While the initial briefing and terminal area forecasts suggested marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions, the weather at the destination airport deteriorated to low IFR (LIFRO) conditions. At the time of the accident, the automated surface observing system reported ceilings of only 300 feet and light freezing drizzle.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft encountered low-level turbulence and wind shear. ADS-B tracking data showed that the aircraft's descent rate accelerated from 500 feet per minute to 3,000 feet per minute during the final minute of recorded flight. In the final 30 seconds, the aircraft performed a 2,000-foot per minute climb followed by a descent exceeding 5,000 feet per minute. The final recorded position was approximately 1,000 feet from the impact site. There were no witnesses to the impact. A post-accident inspection of the engine and airframe showed no mechanical failures that would have prevented normal operation, though the avionics and flight instruments were too damaged for functional testing.
Findings
Investigation into the flight circumstances revealed that the pilot had relatively limited experience in the specific aircraft, having completed only 15 hours of transition training and possessing only 5.2 hours of actual instrument flight time. Conflicting weather information was noted, as the pilot's briefing indicated MVFR conditions, while other aviation weather products were depicting IFR conditions. Furthermore, the amended forecasts did not include warnings for freezing precipitation or low-level wind shear.
- The pilot's recent flight history included minimal time in the specific aircraft type.
- The aircraft encountered severe weather, including low visibility and turbulence.
- Spatial disorientation led to a loss of control and a high-speed impact with the terrain.