Departure and Planned Route
The pilot and a passenger departed from Pierce Ferry, Arizona, and flew east up the Colorado River at a low level toward Kanab Point. According to the pilot's notes and charts, the flight was intended to turn north for approximately 40 nautical miles, with a refueling stop at Kanab, Utah.
Last Sighting
The bright yellow aircraft was last observed by helicopter tour pilots low in the canyon, heading east approximately 10 nautical miles east of Kanab Point.
Notification and Search
No flight plan was filed, and no one was aware that the aircraft was missing. The pilot's family notified FAA personnel that the aircraft was missing four days after the fatal flight. An unsuccessful aerial search was conducted.
Wreckage Location
A military helicopter located the missing wreckage in a narrow canyon approximately 3 nautical miles east of the point where it was last seen. The discovery occurred 13 days after the aircraft crashed into the canyon wall.