Accident Overview
A pilot was en route to a remote airstrip located in mountainous terrain when the accident occurred. A witness reported that the pilot turned south of course "up the first drainage" and began a descent into a canyon. The witness communicated via radio that the pilot was in the wrong canyon, stating "get out of there now."
Sequence of Events
Shortly after the radio call, the witness observed the pilot initiate a turn to the left. Approximately 170 degrees into the turn, the airplane impacted a large tree near the canyon's edge. Following the collision with the tree, the airplane caught fire and subsequently impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude.
Wreckage and Investigation
Search and rescue personnel located the wreckage in a heavily wooded drainage valley approximately seven miles northwest of the intended destination. The narrow valley is bordered by steep rising terrain. A post-accident inspection and teardown of the airplane's engine revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure.