Accident Overview
The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was fatally injured when it collided with terrain in an isolated area of the state. The aircraft was believed to have departed from a ranch located approximately 12 miles southwest of the accident site. The departure was described in official reports as occurring in "heavy snow conditions."
Flight Preparations and Weather
No flight plan was filed for the flight, and there was no report indicating that the pilot received a weather briefing prior to departure. The nearest aviation weather reporting point was about 70 miles from the crash site. At the time of the accident, an AIRMET (Airmen's Meteorological Information) for mountain obscuration was in effect for the area.
Toxicology Findings
Toxicological testing was performed by the FAA Toxicological Laboratory on samples from the pilot. Blood, brain, and urine toxicological samples tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.