Incident Overview
A pilot on a long cross-country flight made a fuel stop, where he also ate and drank before continuing. As he approached his destination, he contacted the tower controller and was cleared for a right base for the runway. The airplane approached the runway, flew about 1,000 feet down its length, then drifted to the right. The airplane crossed a parallel taxiway, made a right turn, and impacted terrain just east of the runway.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he did not remember the accident or climbing out of the airplane. By the time first responders arrived, he was able to walk around the airplane and waved to them to indicate he was not injured. He added that the last thing he remembered was making the approach, and then looking at the wrecked airplane.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors; however, the heat exchanger had been removed and the ports plugged, with no indications that carbon monoxide had leaked into the cabin. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported no problems with the airplane prior to the accident.
Medical Findings
The pilot added that he was given several tests at the hospital, but doctors told him it was probably due to dehydration.