Incident Narrative
While approaching Dalhart, Texas, the pilot was in radio and radar contact with Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Approximately 15 miles from Dalhart, the pilot asked Center about the weather over Dalhart and was advised that the Flight Service Station (FSS) there was shut down and no current weather for Dalhart was available. As the pilot continued, he reported seeing a glow in the vicinity of Dalhart and said, "It looks like they've got a fog or something." At approximately 2111 Central Standard Time, Center advised that radar contact was lost and cleared the flight from Center frequency. The pilot replied that he "went into a little cloud bank, a little shower, right here." Shortly after that, the aircraft crashed approximately 2 miles south of the approach end of Runway 35. Impact occurred left wing first while on a northerly heading.
Weather Conditions
A weather study indicated there was a low overcast in the area, but the height was not determined. Area forecasts and SIGMETs warned of possible turbulence in the area.