Background
A student pilot had obtained permission from the aircraft owner, who was also the pilot's employer, to use the aircraft for solo practice. The pilot was working toward obtaining a private pilot certificate. The instructor had recommended that the pilot practice take-offs and landings, but the pilot instead diverted from this plan.
Flight Details
The pilot knew that one of the ranch managers would be looking for sheep. He flew to the area of the search and used the aircraft's onboard loudspeaker to broadcast announcements. The pilot flew over the manager's vehicle and made an announcement. Approximately half an hour later, the aircraft again flew over the vehicle. The pilot made an unintelligible broadcast and then disappeared from the manager's view.
Collision
Shortly after the second pass, the manager heard sounds consistent with an impact. The aircraft had collided with a ridge. The pilot later recalled being in a turn at the moment of impact.