Incident Overview
An aircraft became missing while operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in instrument conditions during a flight from Yakutat, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska. After the pilot reported level at his assigned altitude of 12,000 feet mean sea level (msl), no further radio communication was received from the aircraft.
Subsequent Developments
Following the loss of contact, the pilot's wife listened to FAA air traffic control tapes of communications with the pilot. She stated that several minutes after the point which the FAA identified as the last transmission from the pilot, she heard her husband say something about '6,000' and 'icing conditions'. However, an enhancement examination of the tapes by the FBI laboratory failed to confirm this information.
Damage and Injuries
Aircraft damage and occupant injuries are presumed. No specific details regarding the extent of damage or any injuries have been determined.