Accident Overview
A solo private pilot was conducting a day VFR personal cross-country flight. The airplane collided with gradually up-sloping terrain in a remote area. The pilot was fatally injured, and a postcrash fire consumed the fuselage and empennage.
On-Site Investigation
Investigators found that the airplane impacted in a near level attitude. The crash path and debris field extended approximately 400 feet. The propeller hub assembly and propellers were located in the debris field. Propeller tips were fragmented, and remaining blades exhibited torsional twisting and leading edge gouges. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction was discovered.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
Conversations with the co-owner of the airplane revealed that the pilot was on vacation in Alaska from California and had frequently flown the airplane to Alaska. The co-owner noted that the airplane was equipped with a functioning three-axis autopilot, which both he and the accident pilot utilized on most flights. He was unaware of any mechanical problems with the airplane. A family member indicated that the pilot was taking oral medication to control diabetes, but no additional information was provided or discovered. The FAA was unaware of any medical conditions the pilot may have had. A postmortem examination and toxicological samples disclosed no definitive evidence of preimpact incapacitation.