Accident Details
During descent into Lawrenceburg, the aircraft entered clouds at 3,500 feet. At 1709, air traffic control cleared the aircraft for an NDB approach. The minimum altitude for the approach is 1,560 feet; the field elevation is 936 feet.
Radar tracked the aircraft until the last contact, which occurred near where the procedure turn would be. No radio transmissions from the aircraft indicated any trouble.
The aircraft struck the ground about 10 nautical miles north of the airport in a near-vertical descent with apparent rotation to the left. All wreckage was contained within a 60-foot circle.
Subsequent Actions
A reporter and pilot, having heard about the accident at 1745, flew to Lawrenceburg. He executed the NDB approach but, not being in visual flight rules conditions at the minimum descent altitude, performed a missed approach and diverted to Maury County Airport, about 20 nautical miles north, where he landed.
NDB Status
The Lawrenceburg NDB was flight-checked on December 14 and found to be satisfactory.