Elkhart

The pilot obtained a preflight briefing and indicated that he would obtain an IFR clearance after becoming airborne; however, he took off and did not activate a flight plan. Witnesses observed the airplane flying north (away from the destination) about 200 to 300 feet above the ground below a low overcast sky condition. One witness said the airplane was flying very slow; he said he was almost able to keep up with it in his vehicle. The witnesses said they saw the airplane roll rapidly to the right and descend toward the ground. It collided with the ground in an approximate 50 degree pitch down attitude. An on-scene examination did not reveal any airframe or control anomaly that would have resulted in the accident. The engines and propellers were disassembled for inspection. Examination of the engines revealed they were capable of producing power. Examination of the propellers revealed both were operating at low pitch settings. About 25 miles north-northwest at Battle Creek, MI, the 1145 edt weather was, in part: 500 feet overcast, visibility 2 miles with fog, wind from 050 degrees at 10 knots.

During an aborted takeoff, the airplane overran the 4,451 foot long runway, went down a hill, and struck a fence. According to the pilot, 'during the takeoff roll, the indicated airspeed needle climbed to approximately 60 knots, but then would go no further... My attempts to dislodge it by tapping on the face of the gauge were futile...I pulled back the throttles and applied full brakes...' The pilot reported that based on the existing conditions 'the airplane can accelerate from rest to rotation speed and back to rest in less than 3,500 feet.' The examination of the airplane revealed the pitot tube was internally obstructed with an insect and mud.

The Falcon 10 touched down long and fast on a wet runway, experienced hydroplaning and went off the end of the runway, struck a drainage ditch and collapsed the landing gear. The nose gear came back and bent the throttle quadrant bracket, pulled the fuel controls to 90% power. This pushed the aircraft on its belly another 1,000-1,600 feet until it came to a stop on a hillside. Both pilots were uninjured.

On final approach to Elkhart Airport, after passing the VOR, the pilot cancelled his IFR flight plan and continued under VFR mode despite poor weather conditions (low ceiling and snow falls). While circling to land, he failed to locate the runway that was covered with snow and the aircraft was not properly aligned with runway. The airplane overshot and then collided with a building before crashing on the ground. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

On approach to Elkhart Airport, the airplane suffered a fuel exhaustion and crashed. The pilot survived.