What happened
The aircraft departed at approximately 1500 on April 7, 2005. Following the flight, concerned family members reported the airplane missing on the evening of the same day. An air search and rescue alert notice (ALNOT) was issued at 2315 on April 7. The search continued until April 18, when the ALNOT was cancelled and the search efforts were suspended.
On August 5, 2005, two hikers located the wreckage of the aircraft on the south wall of a canyon at an approximate elevation of 7,960 feet MSL. The main wreckage was found in an inverted position, lodged between several trees and rocks.
The investigation
The wreckage included the engine, the fuselage, the empennage, and both the left and right wing assemblies. The propeller was recovered approximately 40 feet directly above the main wreckage at an elevation of approximately 8,020 feet MSL. An examination of the aircraft systems revealed no anomalies.