Background
Approximately four days after departing for Madeline Island, the pilot was reported missing. An aerial search failed to locate the aircraft or the pilot. About three months later, on November 17, 1990, the wreckage was found.
Wreckage Examination
Investigation revealed that the airplane had impacted the ground at a high impact angle and at a high impact speed.
Pilot Background and Events
The pilot's wife told investigators that he "loved to go to Madeline Island and drink." Witnesses reported that the pilot was last seen in a bar at 0100 CDT, and that he appeared to be quite intoxicated. The pilot asked several people for a ride to the airport, but none recalled seeing him leave the bar. The airplane was not observed at the Madeline Island airport later that morning.
The pilot's medical certificate had a limitation against night flying due to color blindness and required corrective lenses for near vision. No glasses were located in the wreckage.