Battle Creek-Kellogg Field-Executive

The airplane departed Battle Creek-Kellogg Field-Executive Airport Runway 23R at 1708LT on a post maintenance test flight, carrying three crew members. After takeoff, the airplane bounded to the northeast then reached the assigned altitude of 15,000 feet before proceeding over Lansing. Apparently while performing stall maneuvers, the crew lost control of the airplane that entered a spin and crashed about a minute later in a field located near Bath. The airplane exploded on ground and was totally destroyed. All three occupants were killed. It was reported that the airplane arrived at Battle Creek Airport on 25 March 2025 and the present flight was the first since this date.

After the pilot finished the preflight inspection in the hangar, the maintenance technician pulled the airplane out of the hangar and connected the auxiliary power cart to the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the pilot boarded the airplane and proceeded with the normal checklist. The pilot signaled to the maintenance technician to disconnect the power cart. The maintenance technician subsequently signaled that the pilot was clear to start the engines. After departure, the pilot noted a problem with the landing gear, and, after establishing that the tow bar was, most likely, still attached to the nosewheel, he diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. During the landing, the nose landing gear collapsed and the primary structure in the nose of the airplane was substantially damaged.

While receiving radar vectors for an approach to land, the airplane (a Cessna 421C) departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain. Witnesses reported that they heard the engines operating before the plane crashed. During an investigation, no mechanical anomalies of the airplane were found. The pilot of a Boeing 727 reported that his airplane accumulated a 'quick load' of ice during his descent to land at the same airport within an hour of the accident.