What happened
The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules on a domestic flight originating from Gooding Municipal Airport in Idaho and bound for Hailey, Idaho. During the transit, the aircraft disappeared from radar and radio contact. The wreckage was subsequently located in a steep canyon situated approximately 15 miles from the intended destination. The accident site was positioned roughly eight miles off the planned course within a scenic area west of Hailey.
Findings
An examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical failures that would have contributed to the incident. At the time of the accident, good VFR weather conditions existed in the area, suggesting that meteorological factors were not a primary constraint. The aircraft was found off-course in terrain that may have presented navigation challenges despite the favorable weather.
Probable cause
The official probable cause is not explicitly stated in the provided source text beyond the factual findings of no mechanical failure and good weather.