Accident Summary
A private pilot departed from an undisclosed home base airport for a day visual flight rules (VFR) flight to a destination airport. Approximately 37 nautical miles from the destination, the pilot requested and received an in-flight weather briefing. About 10 miles west of the destination airport, the pilot contacted air traffic control (ATC), and the aircraft was radar identified. The pilot was assigned a transponder squawk and given the altimeter setting, which he acknowledged. Subsequently, radar contact was lost, and no further radio communications from the pilot were recorded.
The aircraft was later located as wreckage debris, with all components accounted for. No evidence of an in-flight fire, explosion, or mechanical or flight control malfunction was found that would have rendered the aircraft uncontrollable before impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a third-class medical certificate application dated December 19, 1991, which indicated 1,500 hours of flight time. The certificate was issued with the limitation: "must have available glasses for near vision." FAA records did not reveal any evidence that the 76-year-old pilot held a current medical certificate at the time of the accident. No evidence was found that the pilot had not obtained sufficient rest before the flight.
Medical and Certificate Issues
Investigators found no evidence to suggest a medical cause for incapacitation, nor was evidence found to rule out incapacitation for medical reasons. The pilot's medical certificate status remained uncertain.
Wreckage Examination
The entire aircraft was present in the wreckage debris, and no signs of in-flight fire, explosion, or pre-impact mechanical or flight control failure were discovered. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), pilot logbooks, and maintenance records were unsuccessful, limiting further analysis.