Overview
On March 12, at approximately 2130 Central Standard Time, the owner of N6101U estimated the aircraft's departure, based on the pilot's stated intention to fly to Utah. No witnesses observed the takeoff or the accident, and no flight plan was filed. Radar data for the flight was not found.
The wreckage was located at 1500 CST on March 13 in a sparsely populated sandhill area of northwestern Nebraska. The accident site was situated 180 nautical miles north of a direct route between the departure airport and the probable destination.
Wreckage Distribution
The main wreckage was scattered over an area measuring 400 feet by 150 feet, southeast of an impact crater that was 3 feet deep and 10 feet in diameter. A left hinged window and the rudder were located between 1 and 2 miles south of the main wreckage.
Meteorological Conditions
Meteorological reports for the accident area on the evening of March 12 and early morning of March 13 indicated low clouds and snow showers.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had logged a total of 18 hours of flight time in the past two years, including 2 hours of instrument flight time in the last six months. No night flying time was recorded during the previous year.