Primary finding
Probable cause
Landing in rugged terrain for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives and investigating police agencies, the airplane was stolen from the owner's locked hangar. The airplane was located two days later in a clear cut and had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flaps had been extended and the mixture and throttle controls had been pulled aft. At the time of this report, the pilot has not been located or identified, and the purpose of the unauthorized flight is not known.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives and investigating police agencies, the airplane was stolen from the owner's locked hangar on September 29, 2009. The airplane was located two days later in a clear cut and had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flaps had been extended and the mixture and throttle controls had been pulled aft. At the time of this report, the pilot has not been located or identified, and the purpose of the unauthorized flight is not known.