Flight Details
The pilot rented the airplane for a local area sightseeing flight over nearby mountainous terrain. He departed with full fuel tanks at 1805. The operator and family members believed the pilot intended to return by 1930. No communications with or witness sightings of the airplane were reported following departure.
Wreckage Discovery
The pilot initially headed in a northwesterly direction toward the Santa Ynez area. About 1 2/3 months later, the wreckage was discovered about 21 miles north of Santa Barbara. A postimpact ground fire destroyed most of the wreckage, and insufficient remains existed for performance of an autopsy or toxicology tests.
Examination and Impact
An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failures. Based upon ground scar evidence and the partial reconstruction of the wreckage, the airplane collided with the mountainside while descending (or maneuvering) nearly perpendicular to the face of the 40-degree upsloping mountainside at 5,400 feet msl. No unusual weather phenomena were observed or reported in the area of the accident site.