Accident Details
The airplane, operating without a flight plan, was flying in clear skies toward an airport where the passenger planned to join his wife. After crossing a lake near the destination, the aircraft flew over rising terrain along a saddleback before striking a stand of old-growth trees protruding above new-growth trees. Radar data covering the final 48 seconds showed the airplane climbing 600 feet without erratic course deviations. At the accident location, the airport was approximately 5 nautical miles off the airplane's right wing.
Pilot and Passenger Background
The pilot had accumulated 32,000 hours of flight experience. Medical records from 2002 and 2004 revealed premature ventricular complexes on electrocardiograms. The pilot's autopsy reported severe calcific coronary disease, with 90% narrowing of the left anterior descending artery and 75% narrowing of the right coronary artery.
The passenger was under investigation for fraud and had attempted to obtain life insurance before the flight. The passenger had loaned money to the pilot and was receiving “flight services” in lieu of cash repayment when the pilot defaulted on the loan.
Investigation Findings
A .380 caliber pistol magazine was discovered at the accident site with two rounds of ammunition missing; however, no weapon was located, and neither the pilot nor passenger were known to possess such a firearm. Post-accident inspection found no evidence of preimpact anomalies.
Autopsy and Cause Determination
Autopsies of both occupants listed the cause of death as “undetermined.” The reports noted that, due to the inability to perform complete autopsies, it could not be determined whether either occupant was alive or dead at the time of the crash.
Official Probable Cause
The official probable cause for the accident was stated as: Reason for occurrence undetermined.