Accident Overview
Before takeoff, the pilot informed ramp personnel that he and his wife planned to take photographs of the fall colors. Later, a witness near the crash site observed an aircraft matching the description of N48926 flying at low altitude. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in a box canyon area where steep terrain prevailed on both sides and ahead of the aircraft. The elevation of the crash site was about 8,000 feet, and density altitude was estimated to be 10,400 feet.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft had crashed in a steep nose-down attitude. Investigators found no evidence of a preimpact mechanical problem, except that one of the bottom spark plugs contained enough lead deposits to fill the gap between the center post (electrode) and one side of the plug. Chordwise scrapes were found on the propeller blades, and a 3-inch limb that had been sliced was found at the crash site.