Incident Overview
A pilot who had been skiing in the Rocky Mountains (elevation 8,900 feet) for a week departed in a non-pressurized single-engine airplane. The aircraft climbed to 21,600 feet initially. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the flight, the airplane reached a maximum altitude of 22,100 feet before entering a rapid descent. It subsequently impacted mountainous terrain in an uncontrolled spin.
Flight Details
The pilot had no supplemental oxygen onboard during the high-altitude flight. The airplane was not pressurized. The flight duration from departure to the peak altitude was about 1 hour 45 minutes. The exact location of the crash site within the Rocky Mountains was not specified.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of any pre-impact discrepancies. The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) functioned properly, and the airplane was located by the Civil Air Patrol the day following the accident. No weather, ATC, or other external factors were noted in the investigation.
Additional Information
No injuries or fatalities are mentioned in the official source. The report does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, date, time of day, or whether the pilot had any medical conditions beyond the lack of supplemental oxygen.