Accident Overview
During a ferry flight from Flagstaff, Arizona to Silver City, New Mexico, the pilot lost control of the airplane while at cruising altitude. The aircraft entered a dive and crashed near Show Low, Arizona. The airplane was totally destroyed, and the pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was loss of control in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot suffered physical impairment. Contributing factors reported included alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment, misjudgment of altitude, peak gusts of 15 knots, and a heart attack suffered by the pilot at an undetermined time. The pilot's alcohol content was 2.6‰.