What happened
Based on GPS and radar tracking, the aircraft approached the airport from the southwest. During the approach, the pilot executed a turn toward the west to align the plane with runway 9. During this maneuvering phase, witnesses reported seeing the aircraft at a low altitude to the west of the airfield. The aircraft then entered a sharp turn that transitioned into a sudden, steep descent, resulting in a high-velocity impact with the terrain.
The physical evidence at the crash site, including the pattern of ground scarring and the structural damage sustained by the aircraft, indicated that the plane struck the earth in a nearly vertical orientation.
Findings
An investigation into the aircraft's mechanical state and onboard systems found no evidence of malfunctions or irregularities prior to the accident. Environmental factors at the time of the event included heavy cloud cover that obscured the moon, along with very low visibility due to the dark night conditions. The primary factor in the descent was the rapid descent following a maneuver during the landing approach.