Incident Timeline
Authorities seized the accident aircraft on December 20, 2007. Approximately two weeks later, it was reported missing or stolen. The wreckage was eventually discovered by hikers in May 2008.
Wreckage and Location
The wreckage was located about 711 nautical miles from the airport where the aircraft was last seen. A fuel receipt indicated that the aircraft had been refueled with $100.62 worth of fuel approximately halfway between the accident site and its departure airfield. The wreckage was scattered in a heavily forested area, and the aircraft had impacted numerous trees before coming to rest at the base of a large tree. There were no indications of a post-crash fire.
Weather Conditions
A review of weather conditions showed a strong cold front and associated deep trough aloft moving through the region on December 21. Patchy instrument flight rules (IFR) and marginal visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with light rain or snow existed over western New Mexico and northeastern Arizona. The high terrain near the accident site, at about 10,000 feet, was likely obscured at the time of the accident. An AIRMET (Airmen's Meteorological Information) advisory had been issued for mountain obscuration and moderate turbulence in the accident region.
Pilot Information
The pilot's commercial and instructor certificates had been revoked. Records indicate that his last flight medical was on March 15, 1995.