Incident Overview
While en route, the pilot encountered headwinds and trace rime icing. He initiated a climb from 17,000 feet to FL190, then to FL210. After cruising at FL210 for approximately 27 minutes, the aircraft entered a descent without ATC clearance. Radio and radar contact were lost near the crash site. Just before impact, the aircraft was observed descending out of low clouds in a spin. All three occupants were killed.
Pilot Qualifications and Aircraft Maintenance
The pilot had been issued a Canadian instrument rating on January 11, 1988, which was valid for only 12 months and had thus expired. A person who provided the pilot with proficiency flight training in preparation for an instrument qualification check reported reservations about the pilot's ability to fly in instrument conditions without an autopilot.
Avionics personnel at the departure airport reported that the pilot had encountered an autopilot malfunction on a previous flight. They discovered an electrical short in the autopilot disconnect switch on the copilot control yoke but were unable to repair it due to a lack of replacement parts. Reportedly, the pilot borrowed a soldering iron to attempt the repair himself.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft, which resulted in a spin and uncontrolled descent. Factors related to the accident included improper maintenance by the pilot, an autopilot malfunction, adverse weather conditions, continued flight into adverse weather, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience.