Piper PA 23 accident near Beaver Island, Michigan, December 31, 2018

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The instrument, multi-engine rated private pilot was departing into dark night visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The airport was located in an area with minimal ground lighting with no discernable horizon visible after takeoff. Witnesses heard the airplane take off toward the west and subsequently turn to the north. They described the sound of the engines as "very loud." One witness added that the engines seemed to be operating normally. Another witness noted that the sound changed to a lower pitch similar to when a pilot transitions to climb power after takeoff. The sound ended abruptly when the airplane impacted a wooded area about 1/3 mile from the airport on a north-northeasterly heading. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. It is possible that the pilot experienced some level spatial disorientation which led to a loss of control and impact with the trees and terrain. However, it is also possible that the pilot became distracted configuring the airplane for climb during the initial turn after takeoff which led to the airplane entering an inadvertent descent and controlled flight into terrain. This scenario is consistent with the witness statement noting a transition to climb power immediately after takeoff. In addition, the earwitness reports did not describe a typical loss-of-control event. The lack of a visible horizon due to the dark night lighting conditions and lack of ground lights in the vicinity of the airport would have contributed to either scenario.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.