What happened
The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules en route to Chadron Municipal Airport. Approximately 30 miles southeast of the Chadron VOR, the pilot requested and received clearance to fly direct to the Ackme Initial Approach Fix (IAF) for a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) runway 2 approach. The Ackme IAF was located nine miles southwest of the airport on a bearing of 227 degrees, defined by its intersection with the 356-degree radial of the Chadron VOR. The NDB station itself was situated at the airport.
Despite the clearance, the aircraft continued toward the Chadron VOR, which lay in the same general direction but was 11.9 miles south of the Ackme IAF. Approximately three to four miles southeast of the VOR, radar service was terminated and a frequency change was made. Following this, the aircraft maneuvered as if the pilot was attempting the NDB approach but was incorrectly using the VOR as the initial fix. Radar data indicated that contact was lost after a procedure turn was executed, with the aircraft outbound approximately six miles northeast of the VOR.
The aircraft subsequently struck trees on a ridge. The initial impact occurred in wings-level flight at an approximate altitude of 4,480 feet along a direct route between the Chadron VOR and the Ackme IAF. The crash site was located approximately three miles west-southwest of where radar contact was last recorded. Weather conditions at Chadron included a 500-foot overcast ceiling, 1.5 statute mile visibility, light snow, and fog.
The investigation
An investigation into the accident revealed no pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction of any aircraft components. Radar data analysis confirmed the deviation from the cleared flight path and the subsequent loss of contact during the maneuvering phase.