Accident Details
A private pilot departed with one passenger in a wheel-equipped airplane on a cross-country flight to a remote airstrip. Family members reported that the pilot was en route to a family cabin adjacent to the destination airstrip, with an anticipated return three days later. When the airplane did not return, the flight was reported overdue. Search personnel checked the pilot's cabin and reported no signs that anyone had been there recently.
A review of the pilot's flight plan revealed that he cancelled his flight plan while still airborne, over the destination airport. Ground and aerial search personnel located the airplane wreckage along the anticipated final approach path to the destination airstrip.
Wreckage and Terrain
The accident site was in thick-forested terrain with trees extending upwards of 30 feet. The airplane wreckage was not easily visible due to thick vegetation. The fuselage came to rest in an inverted and nose-down attitude.
Mechanical and ELT Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. No emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received from the airplane. The ELT was found detached from its mounting tray, with the antenna lead still connected, and the switch in the ARM position. The ELT was sent to the manufacturer for disassembly and testing under FAA supervision. The test revealed that the G-switch and all other components operated within prescribed parameters.
Flight Path Analysis
A review of recorded data from the pilot's handheld GPS unit showed that the airplane approached the destination airstrip from the southeast and entered a right downwind approach for runway 27. The airplane then proceeded southeast bound, past the approach end of runway 27, and made a gradual turn consistent with a right base leg for landing on runway 27. As the right turn progressed, the rate of turn increased sharply. The last GPS track recorded indicated a magnetic heading of 095 degrees.
Autopsy and Toxicology
An autopsy of the pilot concluded that he did not die immediately upon impact, but did not establish a time of death. Toxicological testing found very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the pilot's blood.