What happened
The aircraft originally intended to land at Burke Lakefront Airport but was forced to divert to Cleveland Hopkins Airport after weather conditions at the destination dropped below landing minimums. After remaining on the ground at CLE for approximately 30 minutes and consulting with the company dispatcher via telephone, the pilot decided to proceed with the flight to BKL.
Following departure from Cleveland, the aircraft disappeared from radar and all radio contact was lost. During the period when communication and radar tracking ceased, a snow storm was reported to be in progress in the area. While the aircraft wreckage has not been recovered, the pilot's body was found in Lake Erie on July 10, 1989.