Flight Details
A private pilot and one passenger departed on a personal VFR cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The flight originated from an airport near the pilot's residence in Tucson, Arizona, with a destination near Florence, Oregon, and a planned fuel stop in Tonopah, Nevada.
Weather Conditions
While approaching Tonopah, the pilot reported deteriorating weather and requested a GPS approach. Special weather observations at Tonopah showed rapid changes: at 1024, visibility was 10 miles with scattered clouds at 1,900 feet and broken clouds at 7,000 and 8,000 feet. By 1042, visibility dropped to 2 miles in light snow with few clouds at 2,000 feet and broken at 2,800 feet. At 1049, visibility was 1 mile in light snow and mist with vertical visibility (VV) of 1,700 feet. At 1056, visibility remained 1 mile in light snow and mist with VV of 1,200 feet. At 1106, visibility fell to three-quarter mile in light snow and mist with broken clouds at 800 feet and an overcast at 1,600 feet. The forecast included active AIRMETs for IFR conditions, specifically mountains obscured by snow and mist, visibility below 3 miles, and ceilings below 1,000 feet.
Approach and Accident Sequence
The pilot was issued a clearance for the GPS Runway 15 approach at 1042. No further communications occurred. Due to mountainous terrain, the approach was not monitored on radar. The GPS Runway 15 approach is a non-precision approach with a minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 5,820 feet msl, 394 feet above the airport elevation. The approach lies north of Tonopah with a southerly inbound course, bounded by mountain peaks ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. Initial radar data indicated the aircraft started the approach at the appropriate location and altitude, then descended below radar coverage and did not execute a missed approach. The aircraft impacted a rock face north of the airport. Witnesses interviewed by Sheriff's personnel observed the aircraft flying low, in and out of cloud bases. It was seen northeast of the airport along a highway proceeding westbound, then intercepted another highway northbound. The aircraft reversed course south along the highway and turned southwest along the west side of the San Antonio Mountains. After turning south, it entered an easterly oriented canyon terminating at Lime Mountain Peak (elevation 7,102 feet msl). Prior to reaching Lime Mountain Peak, the aircraft turned north into a canyon leading to San Antonio Peak (elevation 7,727 feet msl). The aircraft impacted a steep wall on the south side of San Antonio Peak at about 7,500 feet msl.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the aircraft revealed the flaps were extended 10 to 20 degrees, the landing gear was in the down position, and the engine was producing power at impact.