Accident
On the day of the accident, the pilot and passengers departed from San Angelo Airport at approximately 1800 CST. They flew to Midland, Texas, where they used a courtesy car to drive to a restaurant. Later, the aircraft departed on a return flight to San Angelo.
Sequence of Events
At about 2320 CST, the pilot made a radio call intended for the San Angelo tower, announcing that he was 17 miles northwest for landing. The aircrew of Rio Airlines Flight 715 heard the transmission and informed the pilot that the tower was closed, but the runway lights were on. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft collided with slightly rising terrain while in a near level flight attitude.
Wreckage and Impact
The initial impact caused the aircraft to bounce. It continued for another 384 feet before the second ground impact. The main wreckage then skidded another 420 feet before coming to rest and catching fire. The impact area was in sparsely populated range land with an absence of lights. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction or failures.