Incident Overview
On the night in question, a pilot reported for duty at Kenosha, Wisconsin, scheduled to depart for Milwaukee at 0200. The objective was to collect cargo for a subsequent flight to Atlanta, Georgia. Although originally planned as a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) departure, the pilot later obtained Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance and weather updates while en route.
Timeline and Communication Loss
The aircraft departed Milwaukee at 0310. During the cruise phase, air traffic control (ATC) noted that the pilot's radio transmissions were often non-standard or unclear. At 0433, the pilot complied with a frequency change request but remained difficult to understand. Five minutes later, ATC requested another frequency change; however, it took five separate calls before the pilot responded. The final recorded transmission occurred at 0445:48. Following this, the pilot failed to respond to further ATC inquiries.
Radar data indicated the aircraft maintained an altitude of 11,000 feet until 0621, at which point it began an uncommanded descent without clearance from air traffic control. Radar contact was lost at 0627 CST (0727 EST). Immediately after losing contact, the aircraft struck trees on a mountain slope, impacted the ground, and ignited.
Contributing Factors and Pilot Condition
A witness to the accident reported that the engines appeared to be throttled back prior to impact. Although low clouds and fog were present in the area, the witness stated that the mountain itself remained visible and was not obscured by weather conditions.
Post-accident investigations revealed significant violations and health concerns regarding the pilot. The pilot had a blood alcohol level of 1.58‰ and had been awake for 21.5 hours. Additionally, the pilot possessed a history of alcohol abuse, seven prior driving while intoxicated convictions, and had falsified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical application records. Despite being notified in 1984 of these issues, the FAA took no corrective action.