Flight and Disappearance
The aircraft, carrying four occupants, was being used for a sightseeing flight to Mauna Loa volcano. The pilot was in radio contact with Hilo Tower from 1503 to 1506 HST. During the communication, the pilot expressed concern about the clouds and decided not to proceed to the volcano. The aircraft subsequently failed to return from its intended destination.
Search and Wreckage Discovery
When the aircraft did not return, a search was initiated. The search efforts were hampered by rain conditions. On April 12, 1984, the wreckage was located on the north slope of Mauna Kea volcano.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft had crashed while in a steep descent, on downward sloping terrain, with a heading of 320 degrees. There was virtually no movement after impact. The fuselage was accordioned, measuring 10 feet from the bulkhead to the empennage. No evidence of an in-flight structural failure or power failure was found. The aircraft's clock had stopped at 3:10.