Incident Overview
A VFR cross-country flight ended when the aircraft impacted a mountain slope after the pilot deviated from the planned route to conduct sightseeing. The pilot had informed a business associate before departure that the flight would include a detour for sightseeing.
Witness Observations
Witnesses observed the aircraft flying up a narrow canyon in the vicinity of a ski area. The last sighting reported was the airplane in a steep left turn towards the entrance of the canyon. The wreckage was later spotted against the canyon wall using a telescope from the ski area.
Rescue Attempts and Accident Site
A state police helicopter attempted to reach the scene but was unable to enter the canyon due to down slope winds exceeding 50 knots. The accident site was located on a 35-degree south-facing slope at an elevation of 11,300 feet above mean sea level on a 12,163-foot mountain.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the airplane wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies with either the engine or the airframe that might have affected the airplane's performance.
Investigation Status
The investigation did not identify any mechanical or structural failures that could explain the accident. No further details are available from the official source.