What happened
After landing at Payson, the pilot ate breakfast and refueled the aircraft before departing. A witness observed the climb following takeoff but noted nothing unusual. The aircraft was not identified on radar, and there were no witnesses to the actual accident.
The aircraft was later located in a ravine near the top of a box canyon, approximately 8.5 miles southwest of Payson. There was evidence indicating that the plane crashed while descending in a nose-low attitude.
The investigation
Investigators found no evidence of preimpact part failure or mechanical malfunction. The propeller blades exhibited S-shaped bends, leading edge gouges, and chord-wise scratches.
Analysis of the aircraft's condition provided evidence that the plane was loaded at or near its maximum gross weight limit. Furthermore, findings indicated that the aircraft had experienced a stall. Toxicology results from the pilot's blood and urine showed the presence of dihydrocodeine (0.065 ug/g) and salicylate (25 ug/g).