Incident Details
An aircraft departed on a cross-country flight but failed to arrive at its intended destination. It was reported missing on April 19, 1989. Search efforts were unable to locate the aircraft at the time.
Discovery
The aircraft was eventually found on November 14, 1989, by a local hunter. The location of the wreckage was near the top of a mountain at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet. The aircraft had collided with terrain at that elevation.
Investigation
During the investigation, no mechanical failure or malfunction of the aircraft or its engine was noted. The fuel tanks were found ruptured; however, the aircraft had been refueled prior to departure and should have had sufficient fuel to continue past the accident location.
Weather Conditions
Weather along the route of flight and near the accident site was forecast to have been marginal VFR to IFR. The closest reporting station reported ceilings near the elevation of the accident site.