Radar Data
Review of recorded radar data indicated that the airplane was heading northwest toward its destination airport while descending through an altitude of 6,800 feet mean sea level (msl) at a consistent rate of approximately 650 feet per minute. At that point, the airplane began a shallow turn to the north. Approximately 32 seconds later, the airplane continued turning and descending at a steady rate, reaching a maximum bank angle between 40 and 50 degrees. The airplane exceeded its structural cruise speed by 20 knots calibrated airspeed, which was 13 knots below the never exceed speed. Trajectory calculations showed that the airplane broke apart about 5 seconds after reaching that speed. The debris field was oriented in a southeasterly direction and was located close to the last three radar returns.
Weather
A weather study based on available data at the time of the accident indicated that the airplane was likely in visual meteorological conditions until just before the breakup. However, with cloud tops reaching 13,000 feet, the possibility existed that the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions.
Wreckage Examination
All fracture surfaces examined on the wreckage displayed features consistent with static overload. No evidence of metal fatigue was found on any of the examined surfaces.