What happened
The pilot intended to fly a passenger from Boulder, Colorado, to Center, Colorado. Although the pilot had obtained a weather briefing for the flight, no flight plan was filed. At 0933, NTAP data identified a target departing Boulder. The aircraft was tracked toward the area of the accident site, at which point it disappeared from radar.
After being missing for 9 days, the aircraft was located at the 10,350 foot level of Hayden Pass, situated between Coaldale and Villa Grove, Colorado. The site was found in a heavily forested area where the aircraft had collided with trees. Investigators noted that all limbs on one side of a specific tree had been broken off, and the airplane was resting at its base; however, adjacent trees remained untouched.
The investigation
The investigation found no evidence of any preimpact malfunction or failure related to the airframe, flight controls, engine, or propeller. Throughout the area, visual meteorological conditions prevailed.