Background
The flight originated from Big Piney, Wyoming, at approximately 2200 hours. The aircraft departed Runway 31 and climbed straight out to an estimated altitude of 7,800 feet above mean sea level (MSL). After reaching that altitude, it turned onto a southwesterly heading toward Kemmerer.
Flight and Witness Observations
A witness at Big Piney heard the pilot attempt to contact Kemmerer UNICOM twice on frequency 122.8. The same witness also heard two repetitions of five clicks each on the same frequency. Shortly thereafter, the runway lights at Kemmerer Mike were activated. Another witness, who was camping approximately one mile north of the accident site, reported that there was cloud cover at the time.
Accident
The aircraft impacted the east side of a mountain at an elevation of 9,100 feet MSL, about 16 miles north of Kemmerer. No information is available on the aircraft type, registration, engine count, operator, or the number of occupants and their condition.
Investigation
Toxicological examination of the pilot revealed a liver tissue fluid ethyl alcohol content of 142 mg%.