Departure and Initial Climb
The aircraft departed on an IFR cross-country flight. It was climbing from 7,000 to 11,000 feet when, at 1126, the pilot was instructed to increase the rate of climb because of other traffic.
Communication Difficulties
At 1926:13, the pilot was asked to report altitude and stated she was at 9,500 feet. At 1926:32, she was asked if she was climbing to 11,000 feet and replied "as fast as possible." At 1926:21, air traffic control again asked for her altitude. The only response was the sound of an intermittent open microphone. Subsequent attempts to establish radio contact were unsuccessful.
Loss of Radar Contact
The last Mode C reply was at 1129:27 at 10,200 feet. Radar contact was lost one minute later.
Witness Observations
Ground witnesses briefly observed the aircraft at an estimated 800 to 1,500 feet above ground level. The aircraft then rolled to the right to an extreme nose-low attitude and crashed.