Background
After visiting his girlfriend, a non-instrument rated private pilot took off in dark night visual meteorological conditions to return home. When he failed to arrive at his destination, a search was initiated.
Flight Path
According to recorded radar data from two different sites, a target departed the airport and climbed to 13,900 feet mean sea level. The target then took up a direct heading toward what would have been the pilot's planned destination. Halfway there, the target made a wide circle to the left of approximately 450 degrees, followed immediately by a tight circle to the right of approximately 360 degrees.
Rapid Descent
The radar data showed two final radar returns separated by 14 seconds and 3,000 feet in altitude, equating to a 12,857 foot per minute rate of descent.
Wreckage
The wreckage was found 2 days later in deep snow in mountainous terrain. No further details about the aircraft or pilot are available from the source.