Incident Overview
During a fuel stop at Elko, Nevada, the pilot requested a weather briefing for a VFR flight to either Lander, Wyoming, or Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The FAA Flight Service Station briefed the pilot on adverse weather conditions at both destinations, including flight advisories for mountain obscurations, occasional severe turbulence, and severe icing in clouds and precipitation. Despite the warnings, the pilot departed without filing a flight plan or stating a destination.
Weather Update
While en route, the pilot contacted the Cedar City Flight Advisory Facility for a weather update and was again advised of adverse weather along the route of flight. The pilot continued the flight.
Search and Discovery
When the flight failed to arrive at Lander, Wyoming, a search was initiated. However, due to the lack of a flight plan or destination information, the search was suspended after 10 days. Thirteen days after the mishap, a local resident discovered the wreckage under a 7-strand, 230 kV electric transmission line. The aircraft exhibited electric arc burn marks from impact with the electric wires.