Accident Narrative
The pilot reported that while en route to a remote cabin site, he inadvertently made a wrong turn into a box canyon. As he continued flying deeper into the canyon, he initiated a climb to avoid rising terrain ahead. The airplane then entered an area of light rain, fog, and reduced visibility. While attempting to turn the aircraft around, the left wing impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft and Equipment
The airplane was equipped with a required emergency locator transmitter (ELT). However, it was an older generation ELT that transmitted only on 121.5 megahertz, not the newer digital version that transmits on 406 megahertz.
Search and Rescue
As of February 2009, search and rescue satellites that receive ELT signals no longer had the capability to receive the older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The 406 megahertz ELTs are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location. In this accident, the pilot and passenger were missing for approximately 24 hours before searchers were able to locate the wreckage.