What happened
A training mission involving a Sherpa departed from Fort Rucker-Cairns AAF with the intention of testing the aircraft in a specific configuration. The flight was manned by three crew members. Approximately two hours and 45 minutes after takeoff, while the aircraft was cruising at 5,336 feet, the flight encountered significant instability. The aircraft experienced a series of oscillations, rolling to a right-hand angle of 12° followed by a left-hand angle of 35°.
During this period of instability, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft eventually impacted an open field situated 4 miles north of Colquitt, where it caught fire. The accident resulted in three fatalities. At the moment control was lost, the aircraft was traveling at a speed of 89 knots.
Findings
The crew had been scheduled to perform a simulation of an engine failure at 10,000 feet. However, data indicates that the aircraft's speed was decreasing at a rate of approximately one knot per second prior to the onset of instability. While the total weight and Center of Gravity (CofG) of the aircraft were confirmed to be within operational limits, the rapid loss of airspeed preceded the loss of control.