19980610013159A

Took off VFR into low overcast. Spiral dive ensued. Vertical impact. Burned. Spattal disorientation factor. (.4)shortly after the airplane took off, a witness about 1 mile from the airport observed the airplane about 150 feet above the ground in a left turn, before it disappeared into the clouds. A witness across from where the airplane crashed stated he was in his shed when he heard the sound of an airplane overhead. When the sound faded and returned, like the airplane had circled above the shed, he stepped outside and looked for the airplane. He saw the airplane exit the clouds in a near vertical position and impact the ground. He described the engine noise as loud and smooth. The airplane impacted in a field about 3/4 miles from the departure airport and was consumed by a post crash fire. Streaks of oil were observed on the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer extending to its upper and lower surfaces. Disassembly of both engines did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. A weather observation taken after the accident reported included a visibility of 2 miles with light drizzle and mist, and the ceiling was 400 foot overcast. Witnesses described the weather at the accident site as '...pretty fog,' and worse than the conditions reported at the airport. (-23)aircraft departed runway 20 at Altoona, PA, then entered IMC conditions. The next observation was departure form IMC clouds, in a vertical descent. Aircraft impacted the ground on a 120 heading in a plowed cornfield, slight nose down level attitude. A post crash fire consumed the aircraft and occupants. Three fatalities occured, pilot and two passengers.