What happened
On the night of the accident, a pilot initiated an IFR flight from Hot and Springs, Arkansas, destined for Pueblo, Colorado. After completing a weather briefing and filing the necessary flight plan, the pilot departed the airfield. Approximately one minute after takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic control of his intention to return to the departure point. During this period, the pilot contacted the aircraft operator to report a malfunction involving the onboard heater.
Following a suggestion from the operator to return to the base for necessary repairs, the pilot made a final radio transmission. Shortly thereafter, all communication from the aircraft ceased. The aircraft struck a wooded area, creating a debris path spanning 940 feet and a 400-foot swath through the trees. The crash resulted in two fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft experienced no mechanical failures prior to impact, aside from the reported issue with the heating system. The wreckage pattern indicated the flight path through the trees during the final moments of the flight.