Washington

The pilot made routine radio communications in preparation for takeoff. The airplane departed from runway 25 in daylight instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with light snow and fog. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's radar target disappeared from the controller's scope. The airplane crashed on wooded terrain about two miles south-southwest of the departure end of runway 25. Impact occurred in an steep, nose down, left wing low attitude. The airplane was destroyed by ground impact forces and a post-impact fire. No physical incapacitation of the pilot-in-command was determined. No contributory mechanical malfunctions of the airplane were discovered. All three occupants were killed.

The pilot returned to the airport at dusk and made a visual approach to runway 23. He reported that as the aircraft was descending thru 350 feet msl on final approach, it was aligned with the runway, the airspeed was 105 knots and the flaps were extended 25°. However, the aircraft hit trees and crashed about 1/8 mile short of the runway. No mechanical malfunction was reported. The airport elevation was 20 feet. Both occupants were slightly injured.

The pilot reported that during a climb after takeoff, he engaged the autopilot. While making an entry on a trip sheet, he felt a bump and noted that the aircraft had started to descend. He disengaged the autopilot and the nose pitched down violently. Reducing power had an adverse effect, so he increased power again. He finally leveled the aircraft just prior to impacting in a field at cruise power. The elevator trim tab cables were found to have been crossed between the tab actuator and the pulley in the tail cone. The tab was also found fully trimmed nose down. The aircraft had just been given an annual inspection during which the elevator trim actuator had been removed, inspected and lubricated. This was the first flight since the inspection. All eight occupants escaped with minor injuries.