Departure and Last Communications
According to family and friends of the pilot, the aircraft departed from the southern California area. The pilot landed at Mesa, Arizona, to refuel and departed from Mesa at approximately 1130 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Radar data last recorded the airplane at coordinates N33 degrees, 42', 06.1" and W110 degrees, 39', 11.8", at an altitude of 7,600 feet and a ground speed of 142 knots. Approximately 3 minutes after the last radar return, the pilot communicated with an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) controller. The controller instructed the pilot to contact Albuquerque Center over St. John, Arizona.
Last Known Position and Terrain
The last recorded position and heading indicated that the airplane was flying into rising mountainous terrain, with elevations reaching up to 11,250 feet. No further communications or radar returns were received from the aircraft.
Search Efforts
Civil Air Patrol units from New Mexico and Arizona conducted extensive search operations for the missing aircraft. Despite the efforts, the airplane was never found. The search was officially suspended on October 18, 2003.