Twin Commander 690C, Wray, Colo., Jan. 15, 2009–The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, was the probable cause of the crash, according to the NTSB. The Board also noted that the pilot’s improper preflight planning and conditions conducive to structural icing contributed to the accident.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft emerging from the overcast and flying low before it pitched down to a near vertical attitude and crashed. According to the Board, before the flight neither pilot had obtained a weather briefing through the FAA Flight Service Station or by using a direct user access terminal system. An icing probability generated for the accident site at the time of the crash increased from 60 percent at 4,900 feet msl to 76 percent at 5,900 feet msl. In addition, a weight calculation determined the aircraft was 1,000 pounds over max allowable weight on takeoff and 560 pounds overweight at the time of the accident. The two pilots and passenger were killed in the crash, and the turboprop twin was destroyed.