Summary
A private pilot, who was practicing for a commercial flight test in his own airplane, did not return to the departure airport. A search was initiated, and the wreckage was found five days later in a heavily wooded area. The aircraft had impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude.
Investigation Details
Examination of the wreckage revealed no signs of pre-impact structural failure. Pre-impact continuity was established between the flight controls and their respective surfaces, indicating that the control system was intact before the accident. Additionally, there were no indications of a pre-impact engine problem.
Wreckage and Weather
The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area. Weather conditions at a nearby location 15 nautical miles away were reported as very good visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Investigators stated that there is no reason to believe weather might have been a factor.