What happened
During a cross-country business flight conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 91, the pilot performed a landing on a gravel bar. Following the landing, an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was detected, prompting search and rescue aircraft to respond to the landing site area.
Upon arrival, rescuers located the aircraft overturned. The pilot was found at the scene but declined rescue services.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident revealed that the aircraft sustained various forms of damage. The pilot reported via email to the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) that the propeller, a wingtip, and the top of the vertical stabilizer had been damaged, noting that major repairs would likely be required.
Further confirmation by recovery personnel and the NTSB IIC identified additional structural damage to the fuselage at the upper left cabin area, the leading edges of both wings, the top of the vertical stabilizer, and the top of the rudder.