What happened
On February 13, 1982, a private aircraft was found wrecked on snow-covered terrain. The county sheriff received information regarding the incident and proceeded to the scene, where he observed the aircraft resting in an inverted position.
Five days later, on February 20, 1982, the sheriff received reports of a second accident involving the same pilot. Upon returning to the area, the sheriff located the aircraft again, this time resting on its top approximately two to three miles southwest of the initial crash site. The sheriff also noted that the pilot's tractors and one pickup truck were positioned where a runway had been plowed at the location of the first mishap.
A doctor who examined the pilot after the crash reported that the pilot stated he had been hunting coyotes at the time of the incident. However, the pilot was uncooperative when questioned by authorities regarding the details of the accident.
The investigation
An examination of official records revealed significant regulatory violations. According to FAA documentation, the pilot did not possess a valid pilot license or medical certificate at the time of the accidents. His previous pilot license had been revoked prior to these events.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this incident include the pilot operating without a valid license and medical certificate. The pilot's uncooperative behavior during the investigation prevented further clarification of the operational circumstances surrounding the two crashes.