Discovery
The aircraft was discovered by hikers on June 29, 1984, after it failed to return from a cross-country flight. A search had been initiated following the aircraft's disappearance, but the wreckage was not located until the hikers came upon it.
Impact and Wreckage Distribution
Impact occurred at approximately the 9,000-foot level in mountainous terrain. The outer wing panels and horizontal stabilators were found at a remote distance from the main wreckage. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed no preexisting cracks.
Pilot and Weather
Prior to the flight, the non-instrument-rated pilot was advised that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. The forecast indicated mountain tops would be obscured, with broken to overcast cloud bases between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, cloud tops in the vicinity of 20,000 feet, and snow showers expected above the freezing level.