Background
On the evening of July 9, 1989, a pilot called friends and expressed despondency. He stated his intention to kill himself by crashing his aircraft into the center of Lake Berryessa to avoid harming others. The pilot and his aircraft were reported missing the following day, July 10, 1989.
Events
A suicide letter was later discovered in the pilot's residence, corroborating the statements made during the phone call. The disappearance prompted a search, but the aircraft and pilot were not immediately located.
Discovery
Over two years later, on October 8, 1991, the wreckage and the pilot were found in 45 feet of water near the center of Lake Berryessa. The location was consistent with the pilot's stated intention.