Flight and Radar Data
The airplane was cruising at 8,000 feet in night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) when the pilot requested and received clearance to climb to 10,000 feet. Radar data indicated the airplane leveled off at 10,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, it made an abrupt right turn and descended through 8,300 feet, after which radar contact was lost.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses near the accident site heard and/or saw the airplane before it crashed. According to them, the engines revved as if the airplane went into a dive or the pilot 'throttled up.' The airplane was reported to be maneuvering before it crashed.
Wreckage Examination
Wreckage was located in an open field, scattered over a distance of 550 feet. The horizontal stabilizers and elevators were found near the western end of the wreckage path, 184 feet west of the main impact crater. The left and right wings were found 60 and 101 feet east of the main crater, respectively. The engines had separated from the main wreckage and were found in two craters about 50 feet apart. Examination revealed the horizontal stabilizers had failed down and aft, and the wings had failed downward. The airspeed indicator was found with a reading of over 260 knots. The airplane's never exceed speed (Vne) was 227 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS).
Weather Conditions
About 12 miles north of the accident site, the weather was in part: 2,400 feet overcast with 7 miles visibility. Witnesses reported that snow was falling. The pilot of another aircraft reported light icing conditions between 4,000 and 11,500 feet.