Flight Details
Two private pilots, both current in the airplane, were on a return flight to their home airport after visiting relatives in Colorado. The pilot in the left seat held a certificate issued in 1986 and had logged 220 total flight hours, including 111 hours of cross-country flying. The pilot in the right seat was certificated in 2006 and had 79 total flight hours, with 22 hours of cross-country experience.
Fuel Stop and Departure
The accident flight included an intermediate fuel stop at an airport with an elevation of 4,316 feet mean sea level (msl). At this stop, the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off, increasing the gross weight to within 100 pounds of its certificated maximum weight. The pilots departed under clear skies with visibility of at least 10 miles, heading west toward Nevada.
Terrain Encounter and Accident Sequence
En route, the pilots entered an area of rapidly rising terrain, which was in clear view as they approached. The flying pilot failed to initiate a climb in sufficient time to avoid a mountainside in a box-like canyon. Based on ground scars and impact signatures in the wreckage, the pilot attempted to reverse course within the canyon. During this maneuver, the airplane appeared to have stalled and impacted a rocky outcrop while in a nose-down attitude. The collision occurred about 250 feet below the rim of the canyon wall, at an elevation of 5,670 feet msl.
Post-Accident Inspection
A post-accident inspection of the airframe and engine found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.