Incident Details
According to the pilot, the flight was proceeding up a canyon to gain altitude to clear mountain passes. After approximately 10 minutes, the airplane had gained about 3,000 feet in altitude. The pilot reported no indication of an engine problem; the engine appeared to be running smoothly, but the airplane would not climb. The airplane mysteriously began to lose airspeed to the point of descending 500 feet per minute in level flight. Airspeed was 80 knots with full power, full pitch props, and a leaned mixture. After recognizing the flight condition, the pilot had only a few minutes to control the descent to a crash landing in aspen trees. The pilot stated that they did not receive any injuries upon impact; however, they received flash burns, which he thought originated from fuel vapors from broken fuel lines.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that the airplane was flying approximately 100 feet above the trees and was climbing with what seemed to be a constant engine speed. Just before the airplane disappeared behind a building, the left wing dropped slightly. Moments later, the engine noise stopped and a large black cloud of smoke appeared above the trees. Another witness stated that approximately 20 minutes after calling 911 to report the accident, they observed the pilot and passenger walking down the road. The witness immediately assisted them and transported them to an approaching ambulance. A police officer observed a column of white smoke rising straight up and for nearly 100 feet above the trees. The wreckage was engulfed in flames and moderately exploding, but the surrounding area was unaffected by the post-crash fire that consumed most of the wreckage.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-examination of the airplane wreckage revealed no anomalies.