Departure and Disappearance
An aircraft departed Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, on a flight to Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico, without filing a flight plan. During departure, the pilot's son observed a dark, threatening cloud bank in the direction of the flight near a mountain range. The aircraft did not arrive at its destination, prompting a search that was later extended to the United States side of the border.
Wreckage Discovery
On January 15, 1982, a rancher discovered the wreckage, which was scattered over an area exceeding one mile in length. The debris field indicated a high-energy impact.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tail assembly, right wing, approximately half of the left wing, and the windscreen had separated in flight. Investigators found no evidence of a pre-impact malfunction or failure of the aircraft, engine, propeller, or accessories. However, the separated components showed evidence of in-flight pilot-induced overloads.
Local residents reported a severe snowstorm with heavy wet snow and reduced visibility at the time of the accident. The pilot was not rated for instrument flight. During takeoff, the aircraft was approximately 547 pounds over its maximum gross weight limit, and its center of gravity was approximately 2 inches behind the aft limit.