What happened
Following takeoff, the aircraft entered airway V-2 and maintained a standard climb profile. Upon reaching an altitude of 8,300 feet, which was below the assigned 9,000 feet, the aircraft was traveling at 128 knots on a magnetic heading of approximately 110°. Radar data indicates that the aircraft then executed a sudden 30-degree left turn. Although the aircraft appeared to stabilize momentarily, the pilot's radio communications remained calm and showed no signs of distress during this period.
Shortly after this initial deviation, the aircraft's heading shifted more than 90 degrees to the left, turning toward the north. This maneuver was accompanied by a rapid descent reaching a maximum rate of 6,750 feet per minute. The aircraft eventually struck a mountainside in a steep, nose-low, and left-wing-down attitude. The impact site was located roughly 1 nautical mile southwest of the final radar contact, with debris scattered in a pattern nearly parallel to airway V-2. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed in the accident.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the engines, propellers, and governors revealed no signs of mechanical failure or malfunction. While the left propeller showed evidence of low power at the moment of impact, no significant turbulence or icing conditions were identified as contributing factors. The investigation focused on the abrupt heading change and subsequent rapid descent that led to the terrain impact.