What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) N3940R VFR T65 (weslaco TX) to jso (jacksonville TX) at 3500 ft. at approximately 0232Z a request to ATC was made to descend to 2500 ft for cloud avoidance, the aircraft continued descent to 1700, the pilot stated to ATC that he was "in trouble." Radar and radio coverage was lost at that time, TX dps notified roc notified. A nearby aircraft attempted to relay, and flew down to 1500 ft to attempt a location, however, no contact was made and the relay pilot reported scattered layers of clouds at this altitude. The accident occurred on a large ranch, several miles from any lights or any lit ground references.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) N3940R VFR T65 (WESLACO TX) TO JSO (JACKSONVILLE TX) AT 3500 FT. AT APPROXIMATELY 0232Z A REQUEST TO ATC WAS MADE TO DESCEND TO 2500 FT FOR CLOUD AVOIDANCE, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED DESCENT TO 1700, THE PILOT STATED TO ATC THAT HE WAS "IN TROUBLE." RADAR AND RADIO COVERAGE WAS LOST AT THAT TIME, TX DPS NOTIFIED ROC NOTIFIED. A NEARBY AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO RELAY, AND FLEW DOWN TO 1500 FT TO ATTEMPT A LOCATION, HOWEVER, NO CONTACT WAS MADE AND THE RELAY PILOT REPORTED SCATTERED LAYERS OF CLOUDS AT THIS ALTITUDE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A LARGE RANCH, SEVERAL MILES FROM ANY LIGHTS OR ANY LIT GROUND REFERENCES.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.