Accident Details
A pilot and a sole passenger departed on a sheep hunting trip in remote mountainous terrain. The flight did not return and was reported overdue four days later. Search personnel detected a weak emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal on the fifth day, leading to the location of the wreckage at an elevation of 5,300 feet mean sea level.
Aircraft and Equipment
The airplane, powered by a 90-horsepower engine, was found heavily loaded with hunting and camping equipment. Center of gravity (CG) calculations, performed without including any fuel calculation, indicated that the airplane was loaded beyond the aft CG limit. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction was discovered.
Investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and reviewed the loading of the aircraft. The CG exceeded the certified aft limit, suggesting that the aircraft was operating outside its weight and balance envelope. The absence of any mechanical issues pointed to the loading condition as a significant factor in the accident.