The NTSB’s preliminary report on the February 4 crash of a Cessna 441 near Denton, Texas, detailed considerable ATC radar data and communications showing that the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the Conquest, became confused as he began the GPS approach sequence to Runway 36. The aircraft hit terrain approximately 6.5 miles south of the airport. The pilot perished in the accident, although much of the aircraft survived the impact.
During the approach, the pilot acknowledged ATC calls, but did not always comply with the instructions. The aircraft’s altitude also varied at times from what was assigned. At eight miles from the final approach fix (FAF), ATC instructed the pilot to turn to a 30-degree heading and cleared the aircraft for the approach. While the pilot acknowledged the call, the aircraft turned north and slowed from 145 knots to 95 knots. A minute after the approach clearance, the aircraft turned to 30 degrees and began a descent before reaching the FAF.
Approximately 30 seconds before impact, the Denton Tower controller issued the pilot a low-altitude warning, to which the pilot replied in his final call, "Okay, going back up." The aircraft’s airspeed then decreased from 95 knots to 55 knots as the final radar data showed the aircraft just 300 feet above the ground. A security camera at a building near the crash site captured the aircraft changing from level flight to a near-vertical spiral descent, which it maintained until hitting the ground.