At about 1951 Mountain time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control. The private pilot and single passenger sustained fatal injuries. Night visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed with Santa Fe, N.M., as the intended destination. The airplane was in cruise flight at FL180 when it began an uncontrolled descent toward an area of rising terrain. The last known radar position placed the airplane at 12,800 feet msl and one mile east of Vermejo Peak (13,367 feet msl). A short time later a ground fire was reported by a passing airplane in the vicinity of the accident airplanes last known coordinates. The wreckage was located the next day, at an elevation of approximately 12,000 feet msl.
