Departure and Initial Climb
The aircraft departed Wiscasset Airport in Maine under instrument meteorological conditions, with a destination of Beverly, Massachusetts. The pilot established contact with approach control and received an instrument flight rules clearance. The airplane began climbing to its assigned altitude on a westerly heading.
Radar Observation
New Brunswick approach control radar data showed the airplane reached a maximum altitude of 1700 feet mean sea level before it began to descend and reverse its direction of flight. The final radar return indicated the airplane at 400 feet mean sea level, moving in a southeasterly direction.
Wreckage Location
Investigators located the wreckage 1 mile southwest of Wiscasset Airport. Radio communications with the pilot did not indicate any difficulties during the flight.
Findings
The investigation did not identify a specific cause for the accident. No anomalies were noted in communications, and the aircraft's deviation from its assigned heading and altitude remains unexplained.