Background
The pilot, a bail bondsman, flew to Goodland, Kansas, reportedly in search of an accused felon. On the afternoon of the accident, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from the Flight Service Station and filed a VFR flight plan to return to Brighton-Van Aire Airport in Colorado. The weather was reported as CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited).
Flight Departure and Contact
The pilot was observed departing alone from Goodland at 1509 Central Daylight Time. The pilot contacted Denver air traffic control, was identified on radar, and was instructed to turn to a heading of 320 degrees, proceed direct to Van Aire, and remain in VFR conditions below the floor of the Terminal Control Area. The pilot reported level at 7,000 feet mean sea level.
Loss of Contact
Radio and radar contact was lost shortly thereafter at 1633:33 Mountain Daylight Time.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of airframe, engine, propeller, flight control, or systems failure or malfunction prior to the accident.