Departure and Flight Path
The aircraft departed from Coronado Airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 2248 Mountain Daylight Time on September 1, 1986. The intended destination was Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Loss of Radar Contact and Search
The last radar contact with the flight occurred at 2353 MDT, when the aircraft was approximately 15 nautical miles south of Las Vegas. After the aircraft failed to arrive as scheduled, a search was initiated. The wreckage was located at 1700 MDT on September 2, 1986.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the crash site revealed that the aircraft impacted the ground in a 90-degree left wing low, nose down attitude. The debris was scattered over an area approximately 425 feet in length, indicating a high-energy impact.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather in the area was characterized by thunderstorms accompanied by rain showers and hail.