Overview
A 1,483-hour private pilot and a passenger departed on a 308-nautical mile cross-country flight. Approximately 22 minutes after takeoff, radar data showed the airplane heading west at an assigned cruise altitude of 6,000 feet msl. Shortly thereafter, the airplane began a shallow descent and turned northwest toward an uncontrolled airport that was not its original destination.
Maneuvers and Descent
When the airplane was abeam and south of the airport, it executed a 270-degree, descending left-hand turn before proceeding on a northeast heading toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane descended into heavily wooded terrain about 1.2 miles southwest of the airport. The airplane was destroyed by post-impact fire.
Weather and Examination
The wind was reported from 350 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector valve was turned off. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine. The pilot's son disclosed that his father had been having problems with water contamination in the fuel.