Ann Arbor

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the ground while maneuvering at a low altitude following a loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane was on a flight in instrument meteorological conditions when radar and voice contact were lost. Prior to the loss of communication, controllers advised the pilot to check altitude. At this point, the radar data shows that the airplane was about 400 feet below the assigned altitude. Subsequently, the pilot said, "roger sir my auto pilot i just cut off uh correcting immediately." This was the last received transmission from the pilot. The radar data shows that the airplane then began a descending right turn at an average rate of descent of 1,276 feet per minute. This descent was followed by a climbing left turn with an average rate of climb of 5,423 feet per minute. The radar data shows that the radius of the left turn continued to decrease until radar contact was lost about 500 feet above the last assigned altitude. A witness who saw the airplane just prior to impact described the airplane maneuvering beneath the clouds prior to pulling up sharply and then pitching down and impacting the ground. There was a utility wire and associated poles running across the airplane's flight path in the field where the wreckage was located. The airplane exploded and burned upon impact. No anomalies were found with the airplane or associated systems. The autopilot section of the Pilot's Operating Handbook states, "Sustained elevator overpower will result in the autopilot trimming against the overpower force." The result is that if up elevator pressure is applied with the autopilot engaged, the autopilot will trim the airplane nose down.

According to witnesses, the weather was changing from minute to minute as the aircraft was arriving. Witnesses reported the wind was blowing from east to northeast at 10 to 15 knots, rain fall was varying from strong to periods of light rain, and the ceiling (cloud level) was variable. The pilot began an ILS runway 36 approach; however, before reaching the airport, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed about 2 miles short of the runway. The pilot was seriously injured and could not remember the accident, but did recalled receiving a wind shear alert. The pilot reported an intermittent problem with the autopilot heading mode; however, no other preimpact malfunction or failure of the acft was evident. All five occupants were injured, two seriously.

While taking off from Ann Arbor in poor weather conditions with snow falls and low ceiling, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a field. All five occupants were evacuated and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was not deiced prior to departure.

While approaching Columbus-John Glenn in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables and trees, stalled and crashed in Pataskala, about 10,5 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.