Incident Overview
During a four-hour night cross-country flight, the airplane was observed on radar at 7,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), 50 miles west of the pilot's intended destination. The aircraft maintained a ground track of 109 degrees at a ground speed of 167 knots. The air traffic control facility was not in communication with the airplane and had not been expecting it.
Descent and Final Radar Data
The airplane then began a descent, continuing on a ground track of 109 degrees at a ground speed of 169 knots. The last radar sweep showed the airplane level at 1,900 feet MSL, still on a track of 109 degrees, with a ground speed of 149 knots.
Impact
The airplane subsequently struck a 2,100-foot ridge line in level flight at an elevation of 1,800 feet MSL. The destination airport was located 4.2 miles east of the impact site, on a bearing of 105 degrees from the impact location. Cloud coverage at the time was approximately 2,200 feet MSL.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engines. There was no record of a flight plan or of flight following being requested from air traffic control. The pilot had a recent history of high blood sugar and was taking medication to manage the condition.