Disappearance
The aircraft disappeared from the controller's radar scope while receiving radar vectors. It was on an instrument flight plan to New Bern, NC, in prevailing instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot was in level cruise flight at 16,000 feet MSL.
Search and Recovery
The aircraft remained missing until March 20, 1987, when fishermen pulled part of the wreckage out of ocean waters near Block Island, Rhode Island. The engine and propeller, engine firewall, entire empennage, and outer wing areas were not recovered.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 59, had 417 flight hours, including 29 hours of actual instrument time.
Weather Conditions
Weather forecasts indicated the freezing level was on or near the surface, with light to occasional moderate rime ice below 14,000 feet MSL.
Investigation
The failure to recover all of the wreckage precluded the Safety Board from making a determination as to whether a failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight control system, powerplant, or other component was related to the accident.