Incident Overview
Before departing on the first flight leg, the dispatcher instructed the pilot to check the weather. The dispatcher subsequently informed the pilot of an additional leg and again requested a weather check, which the pilot performed as observed by the dispatcher. After reaching 14,500 feet at 2028, the pilot contacted Albuquerque Approach Control, reporting information "Yankee" and requesting a lower altitude. The controller cleared the pilot to proceed via own navigation and descend at pilot's discretion; the pilot acknowledged.
Communication and Radar
Between 2034 and 2041, the controller made four unsuccessful attempts to reach the pilot. At 2039 and 2042, the controller asked two other aircraft in the area to attempt communication, but neither succeeded. The last radar return with altitude data occurred at 2033:19, showing 10,200 feet MSL. A primary radar contact (no transponder or altitude) was recorded at 2033:32, located 2.2 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, on a direct line between the last contact and the destination airport.
Accident and Examination
The accident site was found at the 9,012-foot level of a mountain range, 19 nautical miles southeast of the destination airport. Post-accident examination of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operations.
Weather Conditions
At 1956, the destination airport’s weather observation reported few clouds at 800 feet, scattered at 2,500 feet, and overcast at 4,200 feet. Remarks indicated rain ended at 35 minutes past the hour and mountains obscured from northeast to southeast. At 2024, the same facility reported scattered clouds at 600 feet and overcast at 4,200 feet.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the high mountains, mountain obscuration, the dark night condition, and the pilot's improper inflight planning and decision making.