19960321011999A

(.4)The airplane and pilot had been missing for about 30 days after departing on a late afternoon cross-country flight. Weather during the flight was marginal VFR. The surface analysis charts showed a cold front in the vicinity of the accident site. The airframe and engine examination revealed no anomalies that would prevent flight. The airplane's attitude indicator's gyro rotor and case had rotational scaring. The pilot's son stated his father had complained to him about being very fatigued about 24 hours before the flight. He said his father was very concerned about not having enough energy to make the flight. The son said his father had a habit of falling asleep when he was fatigued. (-23) on March 21, 1996, at about 1840 MST, a Beech F33A, N5563X, piloted by a private pilot, collided with the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight pan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed malta, Montana, at 1655 MST. The airplane was reported missing by the pilot's family at 2230 MST on March 21, 1996. The airplane was disc overed at 1800 MST on April 15, 1996.