Accident Overview
A single-engine aircraft on a VFR flight inbound to Hailey Airport crashed after the pilot lost visual reference with the airport during the approach. The pilot had contacted the tower at 1247, reporting a position 10 miles south of the field. Over the next seven minutes, the pilot and controller exchanged communications, but the pilot never visually acquired the airport.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses located north of the airport observed the aircraft flying northbound along a highway into rising, mountainous terrain. The aircraft was estimated to be at 400 feet above ground level with the landing gear extended and engines producing power. Witnesses described the aircraft as flying low and slow. During a left turn, the aircraft dipped its wings and then descended steeply to the ground, impacting terrain in a nose-down attitude.
Post-Impact Examination
Examination of the wreckage found no evidence of malfunctions in the flight controls or powerplant. High density altitude conditions existed at the accident site. A toxicological examination detected the presence of Chlorpheniramine, an over-the-counter antihistamine, in the pilot's kidney (0.068 ug/ml) and heart (0.183 ug/ml) tissues.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn, resulting in a stall/spin. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot-in-command's becoming geographically disoriented, his improper in-flight decision, and the mountainous terrain.