What happened
During a night flight under visual meteorological conditions, a private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were attempting to return to the airport. At the time of the incident, the cloud ceiling was approximately 1,500 feet above the ground. Radar tracking showed the aircraft type performing a series of maneuvers, including flying past the airport and executing a 360-degree descending right turn. The aircraft then passed the airport a second time before initiating a 180-degree left climbing turn. This turn directed the plane toward a heavily wooded national forest area that lacked artificial lighting. The aircraft continued its leftward trajectory and began a descent, eventually striking a river roughly one mile from the airfield. Following the crash, investigators recovered most major parts of the airframe and engine from the water, though the left aileron and the outboard portion of the left wing were missing.
Findings
An investigation into the mechanical state of the aircraft found no evidence of engine or airframe failures that would have prevented standard operation. While both occupants had histories of heart disease, investigators determined it was unlikely that an acute medical event played a role, as both individuals were qualified to operate the aircraft safely. The investigation concluded that the primary factor was spatial disorientation caused by a "black hole" illusion. This phenomenon was facilitated by the combination of night conditions, an overcast sky that obscured the nearly full moon, and the pilots' maneuvers over a dark, unlit landscape while attempting to align with the runway.