Witness Accounts
Shortly after the airplane departed, a witness located approximately 1 mile from the airport observed the airplane at about 150 feet above ground level while it was in a left turn. The airplane then entered the clouds and disappeared from view. A second witness, who was near the crash site, reported being in a shed when he heard the airplane overhead. The sound faded and then returned, suggesting the airplane had circled. Upon stepping outside, he saw the airplane emerge from the clouds in a near-vertical attitude and impact the ground. He characterized the engine noise as loud and smooth.
Crash and Post-Impact Fire
The airplane struck a field roughly 3/4 mile from the departure airport and was subsequently consumed by a post-crash fire. Investigators noted streaks of oil on the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer, extending to both its upper and lower surfaces.
Engine Examination
Both engines were disassembled and examined. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were identified in either engine.
Weather Conditions
A weather observation taken after the accident reported visibility of 2 miles with light drizzle and mist, and a ceiling of 400 feet overcast. Witnesses at the accident site described the conditions as "pretty foggy" and worse than those measured at the airport.
Probable Cause
The official finding stated that the probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the low ceiling.