Night Cargo Flight Crash After Loss of Radar Contact (N291NC)

Flight Details and Loss of Contact During a night IFR cargo flight, the pilot requested and was cleared to descend from an IFR cruise altitude of 16,000 feet to proceed VFR-on-top. The last transmission from the aircraft occurred at 2106, when the pilot acknowledged familiarity with the terrain along the route. At 2121:51 MDT, radar contact was lost after the aircraft executed an approximately 360-degree left turn and descended through 13,800 feet. The controller attempted to contact the pilot to inform him of the loss of radar contact but was unable to establish radio communication. ## Wreckage and Investigation Findings Wreckage of the aircraft was discovered where it had crashed approximately 2 miles southwest of the location where radar contact was lost. The debris was scattered over an area of more than one mile. The investigation revealed that the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer had separated upward from overload. No pre-accident fatigue or part failure or malfunction was found. ## Environmental Conditions Weather reports and pilot reports indicated moderate turbulence and towering cumulus clouds in the area. Approximately 60 miles west at Pocatello, Idaho, snow showers were reported, and 2 to 3 inches of snow fell on the wreckage overnight. Both pilots were killed in the accident.