Flight History
Approximately two days before the accident, the pilot and a passenger arrived at their destination. After refueling the airplane, they departed for the return flight home. Radar tracking data, ending approximately 17 miles from the accident site, indicated that the airplane was flying in a southerly direction at a mean sea level (msl) altitude of about 3,500 feet, which was roughly 100 feet above ground level. The surrounding terrain rose to 4,400 feet msl, with the rate of increase per mile being roughly twice the climb capability of the airplane.
Wreckage and Site
The wreckage was located in a canyon at an elevation of 3,780 feet msl. Ridges behind the accident site rose to 4,400 feet msl. The airplane had collided with mountainous desert terrain during low-altitude flight maneuvering.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a military helicopter pilot who had been checked out in the airplane four days prior to the accident. He held approximately 500 hours of total flight time, including about 150 hours in airplanes.
Toxicology
The toxicological report for the pilot was positive for ethanol. However, the state of the evaluated specimens made it impossible to determine whether the ethanol was produced post-mortem or resulted from alcohol ingestion.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examinations of both the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical or control anomalies.