20120930022959A

Aircraft N2751N departed from safford (ksad) at approximately 1245 local Arizona time. A statement was taken from a witness who was a family member. The witness states that both family members were flying their own aircraft. The witness states the flight was a pleasure flight and both aircraft departed for their destination which was show low airport, AZ (ksow.) The witness states that enroute he descended down to approximately 400 feet AGL in a valley and the winds became stronger. The witness states that he then initiated a climb which was aided by an updraft. At that time he noticed the other aircraft had descended below him. The witness states that he was in communication with the other pilot by radio and that the pilot had begun to express some concern about turbulence he was experiencing. The witness states that he asked the other pilot to try and ride some of the lift that he was experiencing in the updraft but the other pilot expressed he was having difficulty climbing. The witness also states that the pilot of the accident aircraft communicated that if he saw the aircraft making abrupt turns it was not him, but a loss of control of the aircraft. The witness states that he did see the aircraft make a couple of abrupt turns while below him. The pilot of the accident aircraft then expressed he may try to land or abort the flight to show low. As the witness continued to climb he circled approximately 1500-2000 feet above the accident aircraft and saw the aircraft make an abrupt 180 degree turn to the right from the flight path, a northwest heading, where the aircraft impacted the earth. An investigation of the accident site revealed the aircraft to be located in a valley surrounded by mountains approximately 26 miles northwest of safford, AZ located on the San Carlos apache reservation at an elevation of approximately 5000 feet. The aircraft was facing a southeasterly direction and was destroyed. The weather forecast for this area at the time of the accident was winds from 340 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear and temperature 93 degrees. An impact mark at the accident was found 86 feet to the west of the aircraft. It appeared to be a drag mark and was 6 feet long. This mark was aligned with subsequent scrape marks on the ground and the tip of the right wing as it came to rest. The second mark was an impact hole that was 66 feet from where the aircraft rested. A piece of the aircraft gas tank was found in this hole. The gas tank is located on the bottom of this aircraft. There was a third distinct impact hole which marked the ground 55 feet from where the aircraft came to rest. This impact hole contained a very large rock which had been dislodged. From the third impact mark there were scrape marks along the ground for 55 feet which ended where the aircraft came to rest. The aircraft was laying on it's right side. The wing of the aircraft was pointed 90 degrees from the nose of the aircraft towards the south. It was twisted on the mast connected to the aircraft. The right main gear was sheared off, still attached but twisted behind the aircraft approximately 270 degrees from its normally attached position. The 3 bladed airplast propellor was damaged on all three blades. Pieces of the propeller blades were all found within 30 feet of the aircraft to the north west and south west. The wing, later identified as a reflex competition (11) series wing, was separated between the left and right portion at the trailing edge. The right side of the wing frame was crumpled and broken in spots. The fabric covering of the wing was also torn between the left and right side of the wing on the bottom. A large, approximately 50 pound bag, of what appeared to be personal effects was found in the aircraft. There were several unidentified medicines and prescription vials also found at the scene.