Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced communication and transponder failures while en route to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The transponder was inoperative, and the pilot lost radio contact with Albuquerque ARTCC on two occasions. As the aircraft approached the destination, instructions were relayed through another aircraft.
Sequence of Events
When asked what type of approach he wanted, the pilot responded, "Well if they can get me lower, below it, I'll cancel." A message was then relayed that ARTCC could not clear him below his altitude of 13,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the pilot radioed that he had crossed over the VOR and was descending to 8,000 feet. The controller attempted twice to contact the pilot directly, then relayed a message to squawk 1200 (VFR code), stated that radar service was terminated, and instructed the pilot to call Santa Fe tower. The pilot did not contact the tower nor land at the airport.
Crash Discovery
On October 10, 1984, a search was initiated, and the aircraft was found where it had crashed near Thompson Peak at approximately the 9,400-foot level. This location was about 15 miles east-northeast of the airport and the VOR.
Additional Details
Radar data showed that the descent began approximately 12 miles east of the VOR, after which the aircraft turned north toward the crash site. The aircraft had previously experienced radio problems. No logbook entry was found for a VOR check. The pilot last logged instrument time on April 17, 1982.