Incident Overview
A pilot and a passenger were traveling from Amarillo, Texas, to Little Rock, Arkansas. The flight made an en route stop at Haskell, Oklahoma, around 1900 hours to refuel. The owner of the airport at Haskell reported that the aircraft arrived during a fairly heavy rainstorm.
Weather Conditions
At the time, a winter-type cold front was moving eastward through Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainstorms were present, and a tornado watch was in effect from 2130 to 0100 hours for eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
Witness Account
According to the airport owner, he suggested that the pilot and passenger wait overnight and offered accommodations, but they indicated they were in a hurry. The rain was reportedly falling quite heavily when they went to the aircraft. They waited until the storm subsided and then took off; however, their planned route would have taken them through the same storm.
Approximately 2010 hours, a witness near the crash site heard variations in engine power. The witness went outside and observed the aircraft for about 10 to 15 seconds before it went out of sight. He then heard an explosion and saw a fireball when the aircraft struck a mountainside at night.
Investigation Findings
No preimpact engine failure was found.
Probable Cause
None stated.