Preflight Briefing and Departure
During a preflight weather briefing, the pilot was advised that Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight was not recommended due to forecast frontal activity moving southbound along his intended route. Additionally, severe turbulence and icing had been reported just to the north of his course. Despite this advisory, the pilot filed a VFR flight plan and departed at 0730.
In-Flight Events
At 0931, the pilot contacted Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), stating that he would be unable to continue VFR to his destination and requested vectors to Billings, Montana, to await weather improvement. However, at 0935, before vectors were issued, the pilot canceled his request. He reported that there were "big holes . . . below us now" and that he would not need the vectors.
Loss of Contact and Search
Shortly after the pilot canceled his request, radio and radar contact were lost. A search was initiated, but the aircraft was not located until ten days later. It had crashed into the wall of a large canyon in mountainous terrain near the point where radar contact was lost.
Weather Observations
A pilot who was driving in the area reported that the sky was obscured with 1/4 mile visibility. However, further south, the weather improved to unlimited visibility and a ceiling of 2000 to 3000 feet.
Pilot Information
The pilot's logbook was not found. However, on January 26, 1984, he had reported a total flight time of 400 hours on an application.