Accident Overview
An airplane departed under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan for a local flight to practice instrument approaches in preparation for a commercial pilot flight check. The pilot completed two Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches to the southwest runway under radar vectors. Following the approaches, the pilot was cleared direct to the CHISUM VOR and subsequently cleared to fly the procedure turn for the VOR BRAVO approach.
Disappearance and Witness Accounts
While executing the procedure turn on a northerly heading, the airplane disappeared from radar. The local controller attempted to re-establish radio communications but was unsuccessful. Several witnesses driving westbound on a highway reported seeing the airplane in level flight at approximately 2,500 feet above ground, traveling northwest. One witness stated the airplane "suddenly started downward at a steep angle and crashed." Another witness noted that only a few seconds elapsed from the start of the descent until the airplane impacted the highway. A third witness observed "a green and red light coming down at a high angle and very fast," followed by a "loud noise, not [an] explosion." This witness then traversed the debris field across the highway and smelled fuel.
Weather and Light Conditions
At the time of the accident, it was night and dark. The weather at the airport, located 281 degrees at 12.6 nautical miles from the accident site, was clear skies, calm winds, 10 miles visibility, temperature 39 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 31 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter 30.19 inches.
Aircraft Examination
The airplane was destroyed upon impact. A post-accident examination of the airframe and systems revealed no anomalies or pre-impact failures.
Conclusion
The accident occurred during a night instrument approach procedure. No probable cause has been stated in the official source.