Flight Details
Prior to the first leg of the flight, the dispatcher instructed the pilot to check the weather. The dispatcher again reminded the pilot to check the weather before an additional leg, which the pilot did, as observed by the dispatcher.
After reaching 14,500 feet at 2028, the pilot contacted Albuquerque Approach Control, stating he had information "Yankee" and requested a lower altitude. The controller cleared the pilot to proceed via his own navigation and to descend at pilot's discretion. The pilot acknowledged with "Roger."
Communication Loss
Between 2034 and 2041, the controller made four attempts to contact the pilot, all unsuccessful. At 2039 and 2042, the controller asked two other aircraft in the area to attempt radio communication with the pilot; neither succeeded.
The last radar return with altitude information was received at 2033:19, showing the aircraft at 10,200 feet MSL. A primary radar contact (no transponder or altitude data) was received at 2033:32, 2.2 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, placing it on a straight line between the last radar contact and the destination airport.
Accident Site
The accident site was located at the 9,012-foot level of a mountain range, 19 nautical miles southeast of the destination airport.
Post-accident examination revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engines that would have prevented normal operations.
Weather Conditions
At 1956, the weather observation facility at the destination airport reported: few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, and overcast clouds at 4,200 feet. The remarks stated rain ended at 35 minutes past the hour, and mountains obscured northeast to southeast.
At 2024, the same facility reported scattered clouds at 600 feet and overcast clouds at 4,200 feet.