NYC87FA209

The non-instrument rated plt was on a flt to psn the acft for sky diving activities. As he was transiting the albany arpt radar svc area at 5500', radio and radar ctc were lost. Subsequently, the acft crashed in a steep dive and was demolished by impact. Psnl in the area rprtd an ovc cond and estd the vis was at least 1 mi. Abt 12 mi ese, the 0750 albany wx was in part: 1200' sct, 6000' bkn. Vis 2 mi with fog. Low clouds at the rprtg stn had lifted by the time of the acdnt. Radar data showed the acft deviated in both hdg and alt fm 5500', entered a dive with course reversals; then primary radar targets appeared just bfr radar ctc was lost. Both wing tips sepd in flt, but were not fnd. Pieces of wing skin were fnd up to 400 yds away. Large droop wing tips were rprtdly installed, but no authorization was fnd for such installation. A pathological exam showed the plt had 'moderate mild coronary arteriosclerosis.' The possibility of an antemortem cardiac ischemia could not be ruled out. The plt had previously been treated for a suspected heart condition.