Accident Details
During a dark night flight, the pilot lost control of the airplane. The departure was from an uncontrolled airport using a runway that placed the initial climb and cruise over dark desert terrain. Impact occurred with the airplane inverted, right wing tip first, and the wreckage path measured 245 feet long.
Pilot Information
A relative of the pilot stated that the pilot did not like night flying and considered it unsafe in the single-engine airplane. Several pilots who had previously flown the airplane reported that it was very difficult to fly at night because of the location of the attitude indicator and the cockpit lights. Witnesses indicated that the pilot had completed several night takeoffs and landings the night before this flight; however, the pilot's logbook showed only 0.4 hour of night time logged during the last 18 months prior to this flight.
Aircraft and Mechanical Findings
No mechanical malfunctions were discovered in the wreckage. Toxicological tests revealed a 17% saturation of carbon monoxide in the pilot's blood, from an unknown source.