Accident Details
A pilot transmitted a distress call, providing his position and stating he was 'going in,' during visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The airplane subsequently struck a mountain at the 5,530-foot level, with the mountain's peak at 5,600 feet. The aircraft impacted in a wings-level attitude on a steep, rock-walled area of the mountain at high speed. Engine controls were found positioned for powered flight.
Pilot's Background
Prior to the flight, the pilot left his autobiography, medical history, and his wife's death certificate in his parked car. According to his medical history, he was experiencing depression over the recent death of his wife and was concerned about his own deteriorating health. The pilot's son stated that his father had planned to commit suicide in his airplane.
Toxicology and Cause of Death
A death certificate issued by the county coroner listed the pilot's death as a suicide. Toxicological analysis of the pilot's liver and kidney tissue revealed the presence of fluoxetine, an ingredient of the prescription antidepressant medication Prozac.