What happened
During an instrument flight rules (IFR) operation conducted in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot encountered difficulties with the aircraft's landing gear. After reporting a malfunction regarding the gear, the pilot attempted to divert and return to the airport for an emergency landing.
While maneuvering, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, resulting in a collision with the terrain. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire upon hitting a roadway. There were no survivors reported from the incident.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors related to the pilot's performance and the environmental conditions. The aircraft was operating in an area characterized by fog and low ceilings. Key findings include:
- An undetermined landing gear malfunction prompted the initial diversion.
- The pilot failed to maintain proper airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall.
- The pilot's decision-making during the flight was deemed poor.
- Environmental factors, specifically fog and low visibility, played a role in the accident.
- The pilot lacked sufficient instrument flight experience and was not rated for multi-engine or instrument operations, and held an expired medical certificate.