Accident Overview
On the morning of the accident, the pilot, a businessman involved in building and construction, had breakfast with friends. They reported he was in good spirits and intended to fly before going to work. Witnesses near the accident site observed the aircraft flying in the area. They speculated the pilot may have been looking for a rock quarry he had for sale or was interested in a nearby site for a recently proposed reservoir.
Distress Call and Collision
A UNICOM operator received a distress call from the pilot stating he had a "stuck elevator" and was going to make an emergency landing. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft collided with a rock wall approximately 100 feet below a ridge line and 800 feet above a nearby valley floor. Evidence indicated the aircraft impacted in a nose-level, slightly right-wing-low attitude at high speed. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact.
Subsequent Investigation
A coroner's investigation revealed the pilot had financial problems and listed his death as suicide. However, the pilot had made no known declaration of intent to perform such an act.