Beech F33A N9318Q accident near North Salem, New York

Probable cause

A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB analysis

At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the instrument-rated pilot was cleared for an instrument approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions. About 2 minutes later, the airplane entered a right descending turn away from the airport. The controller attempted to contact the pilot but received no response. The airplane impacted a reservoir about 8 miles from the airport.

Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. On his most recent application for a medical certificate about 6 months before the accident, the pilot reported a total of 1,940 hours of flight experience, but his logbooks were not recovered, so his recent flight experience and instrument currency could not be determined. The pilot's toxicology results were negative, and the autopsy was inconclusive, so it is unknown if the pilot experienced a medical condition that could have contributed to the loss of airplane control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16FA044 for the full record.