Flight and Communications
The flight proceeded without incident until the pilot contacted Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The pilot requested the destination weather and was informed that the entire area was under instrument flight rules (IFR). The closest airport reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions was McAllen, Texas, approximately 80 miles southeast. The pilot then advised that he did not have enough fuel to reach McAllen.
At 1828 Central Standard Time, the pilot advised that the destination airport was sighted below. The controller acknowledged and cleared the pilot to change frequency for landing. About seven minutes later, the aircraft crashed in open mesquite range while in a slight nose-down, slight left bank attitude at high speed.
Radar Data
Radar data showed that after the pilot's last radio transmission, the aircraft overflew the airport, turned left, and proceeded north, away from the airport. About five miles north, it made a 360-degree turn, then continued two to three miles further north. A 180-degree turn was then made, and radar contact was lost. During that time, the altitude varied considerably.
Witness Report
A ranch foreman heard the aircraft flying around before it crashed. He reported overcast conditions with fog and visibility less than one-eighth of a mile.