Departure and Search
On December 30, 1985, a non-instrument rated pilot and his wife took off from Bullfrog Basin Airport in Glen Canyon, Utah, en route to Heber City, Utah. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing nor file a flight plan. The aircraft did not arrive at its destination.
A Civil Air Patrol search was conducted from January 2, 1986, to January 23, 1986, with negative results.
Wreckage Location and Findings
The wreckage was located on August 17, 1986. Evidence indicated the airframe failed in flight, and the wings failed in positive overload.
Weather Conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed throughout most of the state on the day of the accident. Conditions included low ceiling, poor visibility, fog, snow, freezing rain, and conditions conducive to icing.