Overview
A mission to transport two hunters between two local airstrips ended with an airplane crash. The Operator reported that the pilot was to fly two trips from a small takeoff/landing area referred to locally as the 'Cub' strip to a larger area known as the '185' strip. The pilot successfully transported one hunter on the first trip but failed to return with the second.
Accident Location
Wreckage was discovered in a box canyon at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet. The canyon entrance was narrow and featured a consistent upward slope. Due to an 'S' turn in the canyon, the box canyon could not be recognized from the entrance. The terrain immediately below the wreckage rose at a 30-degree slope, while the airplane itself came to rest on a 15-degree slope.
Canyon Dimensions
The area where the airplane crashed was approximately 300 feet wide and surrounded by vertically rising terrain, creating a confined and steep environment.