Summary
A freight charter flight ended in an accident after the aircraft performed a steep pull-up from low altitude, entered an inverted spin or spiral dive, and impacted the ground in a near-vertical descent. Investigation revealed no mechanical malfunctions, but the aircraft had stalled. The seat belts were not fastened at impact.
Accident Details
The pilot, initially occupying the left-hand seat, was accompanied by a friend who was also a commercial pilot but not endorsed on that aircraft type. Approximately 18 minutes before the estimated arrival, the pilot reported leaving a cruising altitude of 6,500 feet on descent. Several minutes later, a witness about 50 kilometers from the destination observed the aircraft pull up into a very steep climb from an extremely low height, wings level, then become inverted and enter a spin or spiral dive before impacting the ground nearly vertically.
At the accident site, the pilot was found in the right-hand seat, and the passenger had been thrown clear of the wreckage. Neither seat belt had been fastened at the time of impact. Medical evidence suggested that the pilot in the right-hand seat was handling the controls at ground impact. Weather conditions were fine and clear with 10–15 knot winds.
Investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft wreckage found no malfunction or mechanical failure that could have caused a sudden and severe loss of control. At impact, the aircraft was in a near-vertical descent with no rotation about the vertical axis, and the wings were stalled. No reason could be established for the low flying or the steep pull-up. Investigators determined that, for that aircraft type, a considerable degree of sustained elevator force would have been required to achieve the observed flight path—a control input that would need to be deliberately executed.
Probable Cause
No mechanical malfunction was identified. The aircraft stalled after a deliberate steep pull-up from low altitude, and there was insufficient height to recover from the loss of control.