What happened
On November 17, 2010, at approximately 1635 PST, an American Champion Scout 8GCBC, registration N273MA, crashed into mountainous terrain roughly 4 miles north of Bremerton, Washington. The flight originated from Bremerton National Airport (PWT) about four minutes before the collision, but no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) in visual meteorological conditions with 10 miles of visibility and winds from 170 degrees at 11 knots.
Following the accident, the pilot was reported missing by family members, leading the FAA to issue an Alert Notice on November 25. Search and rescue teams located the wreckage on the morning of November 28 in a remote, heavily wooded area approximately 6 miles west-southrag of Bremerton. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
FAA radar data indicated the aircraft was one mile southwest of PWT when it initiated a right turn to the north. The radar track continued in a northerly direction until it terminated about 4 miles northwest of the airport near the crash site.
Investigators examined the wreckage, which was found at an elevation of 1,300 feet MSL. The debris path showed the aircraft first contacted a series of trees, causing broken treetops and scarred branches, before the main wreckage came to rest on the up-slope side of a ravine. The left wing had separated from the fuselage upon impact. The engine was separated from the airframe, and one propeller blade was sheared off at the hub.
Mechanical examinations of the engine, fuel system, and carburetor revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector valve was in the open position, the gascolator was clear of debris, and the carburetor inlet screen was unobstructed. The emergency locator transmitter was found in the "OFF" position.
A toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood and urine detected acetaminophen, metoprolol, and oxycodone. While oxycodone is noted for potential impairment, data regarding the pilot's impairment level was inconclusive. An autopsy also revealed severe coronary artery disease.