What happened
While maintaining a cruising altitude of approximately 9,500 feet, the aircraft's flight path deviated from a southeasterly direction to a southwesterly heading. During this period, radar tracking indicated that the average ground speed dropped from 170 knots to 108 knots. The pilot contacted air traffic control using his call sign, but the communication was followed shortly by a brief, unintelligible transmission lasting roughly one second. At the time of this final transmission, radar data placed the aircraft at an altitude of 8,800 feet. Shortly after this event, both radio and radar contact were lost.
Search efforts located the wreckage three days after the disappearance. The crash site was situated at an elevation of 1,820 feet above sea level, positioned approximately half a mile south-southwest of the aircraft's final radar position. The descent from the 8,800-foot altitude to the impact point occurred at an average angle of approximately 51 degrees. The impact resulted in extensive damage to the aircraft. Notably, the tall trees surrounding the wreckage showed no signs of damage from the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure or engine malfunction. Additionally, there was no evidence of any impairment affecting the pilot prior to the accident.