Flight History
On April 24, 2020, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, the airplane departed Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD) in Chandler, Arizona, at 0933 MST. It flew west briefly then turned northwest, consistent with a direct heading to Twin Falls, Idaho, the planned destination. The last radar data point was about 200 miles southeast of the accident site, showing the airplane at 8,125 ft mean sea level at about 137 knots. An ALNOT was issued when the airplane did not arrive, and the wreckage was located the following day about 20 miles northeast of Currie, Nevada.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate, issued June 17, 2019, required corrective lenses and was not valid for flights requiring color signal control during daylight hours. He reported 900 total flight hours, with 50 hours in the previous 6 months.
Aircraft Details
The Beech A35, registration N8743A, featured two main fuel bladder tanks (20 gallons each, 17 usable) and one 20-gallon auxiliary tank (19 usable), totaling 53 usable gallons. The fuel state at departure was not determined. The flight distance was consistent with using only the main fuel bladders. A family member who had flown the same route noted that sometimes no fuel stop was made. No evidence of refueling during the accident flight was found. Airframe and engine logbooks were not located.
Weather Conditions
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration numerical model sounding near the accident site estimated a density altitude of about 7,341 ft msl, with west-to-northwest winds at 10 to 15 knots. The wind profile showed no strong vertical wind shear below 12,500 ft that would indicate significant clear air or low-level turbulence. Satellite imagery revealed no mountain wave activity, and no pilot reports of hazardous weather or turbulence were filed for the route.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane impacted level terrain in a remote mountain valley at an elevation of about 6,539 ft msl. The impact was nose low in an approximate wings-level attitude on a southwesterly heading. All major components were accounted for, and there was no postimpact fire. No fuel smell or staining was present. The empennage was relatively intact, and one propeller blade was separated. Flight control continuity was confirmed; flaps were partially extended, and the landing gear was extended, partially penetrating the wing tops. Both main bladder tanks and the auxiliary tank were compromised, with no fuel staining observed near any tank. The engine was partially attached; the crankshaft rotated with proper valve movement, and borescope examination of cylinders showed normal operating signatures. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.