Accident Details
The airplane did not return to the departure airport. An emergency locator transmitter signal directed searchers to the wreckage. The airplane had impacted a steep rock face near the top of a 4,900-foot mountain. The wreckage showed that the airplane had struck the side of the mountain while in a 45-degree left bank, with the impact described as a "pancake" collision.
Witness Reports
Witnesses reported that, around the time of the accident, the mountain tops in the area were obscured in clouds above approximately 4,000 feet.
Communication Equipment
Both of the airplane's communication radios were tuned to the emergency frequency at the time of the accident.
Wreckage Examination
During the examination of the wreckage, the fuel injection flow divider diaphragm was found to have a tear. A tear in this diaphragm during flight would cause the engine to abruptly and completely cease operating.
Fuel Injection Diaphragm Findings
Examination of the diaphragm revealed that the Dacron fabric was not centered in the elastomer, as called for in the manufacturer's drawing. The lack of centering in the elastomer led to micro buckling failure of the Dacron fibers due to tensile fatigue.