Background
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft contacted his wife approximately one hour before departing from Denver, Colorado, bound for Wichita, Kansas. During the call, he stated that he expected to arrive in Wichita in four hours.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Denver at 1700 mountain standard time (MST) on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. After departure, the pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan with Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) while in flight. The aircraft was subsequently handed off to Kansas City ARTCC, but no radio contact was ever established between the aircraft and Kansas City ARTCC.
Communication and Radar
Denver ARTCC's last radar contact with the aircraft occurred at 2015 central standard time (CST), showing the aircraft at an altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), positioned 7 miles north and 5 miles west of the Dighton, Kansas Airport. At 2032 CST, Denver ARTCC contacted the Lane County, Kansas, Sheriff's Office, requesting assistance in locating a plane that had disappeared from radar. During this communication, Denver ARTCC informed the sheriff's office that they had overheard someone say, "We're going down."
Search and Discovery
At 2058 CST, the aircraft was located by Lane County Sheriff's deputies on the ground near Dighton.
Weather Conditions
Near the time of the accident, weather reporting stations within 60 miles of the accident site reported overcast ceilings, visibility ranging from 1/2 to 3 miles with light rain, and temperatures and dew points at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the aircraft or its systems.