What happened
At 0703 hours, the crew of Flight 260 received an IFR clearance from the tower for an approach to Santa Fe Airport. The instructions directed the aircraft to climb northbound via Victor 19 using the back course of the ILS localizer. Following its departure from Albuquerque at 0705 hours, the tower instructed the flight to report passing the Weiler Intersection. No further communication was established with the aircraft after takeoff.
The aircraft was observed performing a shallow, high-speed climb at an estimated altitude of 3,000 feet (8,300 feet MSL) while maintaining its heading toward Sandia Ridge, the top of which was hidden by cloud cover. The next morning, wreckage was discovered at 9,243 feet MSL near the crest of Sandia Mountain. This location was approximately 13 miles northeast of Albuquerque Airport, situated nearly on a straight 30-degree magnetic course between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
The investigation, conducted by the Civil Aeronautics Board, involved multiple site visits due to difficult terrain and heavy snow. While initial wreckage examination was interrupted by hazardous conditions, subsequent studies were carried out through 1958. Later investigations included technical reviews of the aircraft's fluxgate compass system and instrumentation.
Findings
- The investigation concluded that the accident resulted from a deviation from the prescribed flight path for unknown reasons.
- The aircraft failed to adhere to established en route procedures, resulting in an altitude insufficient to clear terrain obstructions.