January 08, Flagstaff, Ariz. / Piper Aztec

At about 1220 mountain time, Albuquerque Center lost radar and radio contact with a Piper PA-23-250 near Flagstaff. At the time of the report, the airplane had not been found and the four occupants are presumed dead. The airplane was flying VFR from Boulder City, Nev., to Midland, Texas, when the pilot reported he could not maintain VFR. He was given vectors to Flagstaff and reported the airport in sight, then reported losing visual contact. He then requested an IFR clearance and was told to climb and hold over the Flagstaff VOR. No further transmissions were received....

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Piper PA-23-250, flying VFR from Boulder City to Midland, went missing near Flagstaff after its pilot reported losing visual contact and requested an IFR clearance.
  • Radar and radio contact were lost after the pilot was instructed to climb and hold over the Flagstaff VOR, with no further transmissions received.
  • The aircraft had not been found at the time of the report, and its four occupants are presumed dead.
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At about 1220 mountain time, Albuquerque Center lost radar and radio contact with a Piper PA-23-250 near Flagstaff. At the time of the report, the airplane had not been found and the four occupants are presumed dead. The airplane was flying VFR from Boulder City, Nev., to Midland, Texas, when the pilot reported he could not maintain VFR. He was given vectors to Flagstaff and reported the airport in sight, then reported losing visual contact. He then requested an IFR clearance and was told to climb and hold over the Flagstaff VOR. No further transmissions were received.

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