Accident Details
The accident occurred when the airplane struck steep rising terrain at an elevation of 2,300 feet above mean sea level. The impact was at a near-vertical angle. The pilot had been vacationing in the surrounding area and had received a check-out in the accident aircraft approximately three weeks before the accident date.
Flight Intent
Prior to the flight, the pilot advised personnel at the flight school that he planned to fly to a local airport and then return to the departure airport later that evening.
Discovery and Witness
A local helicopter pilot discovered the burning wreckage and alerted emergency services. The helicopter pilot noted that weather conditions included clear skies and an absence of turbulence.
Investigation
After the wreckage was recovered from the accident site, investigators conducted a detailed examination. They found no mechanical malfunctions with the airframe controls or the engine.
Pilot History
The pilot had initially started flying about 30 years before the accident, but then ceased. Approximately three years prior to the accident, the pilot resumed flying.