Flight Details
The aircraft was on the return leg of a round trip flight transporting canceled bank checks. The pilot's wife, who was not a pilot, occupied the right front seat, while his two daughters, aged 4 and 6, were seated in the passenger seats. Previous legs of the flight were completed without incident.
Loss of Contact
During the fourth leg, a radar handoff was made from Jacksonville to Atlanta Center at 0225 EST. The pilot reported being at FL180, which was his last known transmission. At 0230, the ATC controller noted the aircraft passing Macon VOR. Shortly thereafter, radar contact was lost, and attempts to establish radio communication were unsuccessful.
Witness Observations
Several individuals in the vicinity reported hearing the aircraft's engines alternately at high speed and then diminishing before the accident.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was scattered over an area of approximately 2 miles. Examination revealed that the right wing had failed upward, while the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer had failed downward due to overload. Evidence indicated a course reversal and descent prior to the breakup. Light turbulence and icing were present at the cruise altitude.
Probable Cause
The uncontrolled descent of the airplane for undetermined reasons and the overstress and breakup of the airplane structure during an attempted recovery by the pilot.