Accident
On a return leg of a day-long charter flight, the pilot dropped off passengers in Flagstaff, Arizona, at approximately 2000 hours and departed for Sedona, located 21 miles to the south. About 13.6 miles south of Flagstaff, the airplane collided with a sheer rock wall approximately 1,000 feet below the top of the mountainous terrain. The impact occurred at a point where the aircraft was expected to be en route to Sedona.
Weather and Witness Observations
According to weather data and witness statements, low clouds were present in the accident area around the time of the occurrence. A witness reported seeing the airplane's lights flash on the clouds while the aircraft appeared to be reversing course. The same witness and others heard normal engine sounds until the moment of impact, indicating no apparent power loss or mechanical distress before the collision.
Aircraft Examination
An examination of the aircraft revealed no system discrepancies. All components appeared to function normally prior to impact. Fuel calculations indicated that the airplane had approximately 5.5 gallons of fuel remaining at the time of the accident, which would have provided about 40 minutes of flight time. No other anomalies were noted during the inspection.