Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the aircraft experienced an in-flight breakup. The wreckage was located at approximately 1845 hours in the Carrizo Mountains, at an elevation of about 8,610 feet msl, roughly 51 nautical miles on the 260-degree radial from the Farmington VOR navigational facility. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) had notified authorities of an emergency crash locator beacon signal at 1155 on November 6.
Pilot Communications
The pilot contacted the Prescott Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) by telephone from Page, Arizona, at 1306, requesting a forecast for Pueblo, Colorado. The forecast included winds gusting to 30 knots, showers in the vicinity, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet agl, broken clouds at 7,000 feet agl, lowering clouds after 1700, and an increase in occasional rain and snow showers. The briefer issued an Airmet for icing in Colorado mountain obscuration, and turbulence from the surface to 39,000 feet between Phoenix and Denver. During this briefing, the pilot stated he was "trapped in Page, trying to get back to Denver; when does it look like the system is going to clear out a little, do you have any information on that?"
Later, at 1420, the pilot contacted the Prescott AFSS by radio over Kayenta, Arizona, about 60 miles west of the accident site. He requested current weather conditions at Grand Junction and Farmington, New Mexico, and three other locations in Colorado, all of which were marginal for visual flight. At 1425, the pilot informed the briefer, "we'll be heading the southern route." No flight plan was filed.
Flight History and Documentation
According to accident flight reconstruction, the aircraft departed Broomfield, Colorado, on November 3, and was returning on the day of the accident. The pilot had not told the flying club operator of his intended destination, only that he would return with the plane on November 5 about 1800. The aircraft was refueled at North Las Vegas on November 4, and at Page on November 5. The fuel invoice at Page was paid at 1338.
A notepad recovered from the wreckage documented a planned route: Broomfield (Jeffco), Monarch Pass, Blue Mesa, Dove Creek, Page, and Las Vegas, totaling 545 miles.
Club Policy
The flying club had a written and member-signed policy requiring all members to file flight plans for flights over 50 nautical miles, and to inform the operator of all cross-country flight destinations.