Witness Reports
Multiple witnesses reported hearing an airplane maneuvering in a valley between two mountain ridges before observing a fireball.
Wreckage Location
The wreckage was located in a wooded area at the 3,600-foot elevation of a mountain ridge. Debris was scattered approximately 150 feet along a 360-degree magnetic heading from a group of trees that were freshly broken at similar heights.
Weather Conditions
A weather observation facility situated 3.4 nautical miles northwest of the accident site at an elevation of 3,200 feet issued ten weather reports between 0802 and 1102 at approximately 20-minute intervals. The highest reported visibility during that time frame was 3 statute miles, and the highest reported ceiling was 500 feet.
Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact malfunction of the airframe or the engine.