What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Airplane was in straight and level flight at 10,200 feet on a VFR squawk and not in contact with air traffic control. Airplane began a rapid descent of approximately 2,900 feet per minute and increased airspeed from 10 to 25 knots. Airplane continued the descent on a constant course until impacting terrain.
As the FAA filed it
AIRPLANE WAS IN STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT AT 10,200 FEET ON A VFR SQUAWK AND NOT IN CONTACT WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. AIRPLANE BEGAN A RAPID DESCENT OF APPROXIMATELY 2,900 FEET PER MINUTE AND INCREASED AIRSPEED FROM 10 TO 25 KNOTS. AIRPLANE CONTINUED THE DESCENT ON A CONSTANT COURSE UNTIL IMPACTING TERRAIN.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.