On 11/14/91 the Cessna 336A Skymatser N3848U went missing in bad weather while on a flight from Bullhead City, Arizona, to Fullerton, California. After three weeks the Civil Air Patrol ended it's massive search of 400 sorties in 2,200 flight hours that covered a 25,000 square mile area without being able to locate the aircraft. The father of the pilot refused to give up and continued on with himself and the passengers families using fund raisers and personal income to pay for search flights. On the 30th search which was to be the last day they could afford to continue, the father of the pilot spotted the wreckage in a heavy wooded area on the side of a mountain on 7/5/92, eight months after the aircraft went missing. The pilot and four passengers were killed in the accident.

Driving to the starting point of the hike to search for the Cessna 336A N3848U. This is my second attempt at locating this site. Tried a few years back, but gave up after a couple of hours. Think I figured out where it is this time. Took a little 4X4 driving getting there.

Picked a good day for a hike. The weather is cool with a nice breeze blowing.

After a little hiking I came upon the first piece of wreckage, a five foot long piece from one of the wings. Guessed right about the sites' location.

Another view of the same piece.

Found another piece from a wing nearby, this one was badly crushed.

The other side shows the impression caused from striking one of the many trees that where in the area at the time of the accent. Since then most are gone due to past forest fires that happened in the area.

Remains of the landing lights on the leading edge on the same piece.

The right outboard flap.

Close up of the same flap showing where a fallen tree punctured a hole into it.

The horizontal stabilizer with the aft end of the left tail boom still attached.

Closer view of the stab showing damage from a tree strike.

This piece looks like it might be from the fuselage, it's about there feet long.

Another view of the tail boom showing the fin and rudder.

Veiw from the rear.

Trim tab on the elevator.

Last view showing the complete stab.

Found one of the fuel tanks while hiking further up the slope.

Piece from the fuselage, part of a window frame can be seen.

More wreckage, there were quite a few pieces of this size scattered around the area.

I think this piece from the fuselage is from the base of the windshield.

Another view of the same piece.

One of the two Continental IO-360-A engines that powered the Cessna 336A.

Another view of the engine, wasn't able to find the second one.

One of the mufflers.

Looks like one of the engine firewalls.

The main landing gear with a wheel hub still attached. The 336A had fixed gear. Most of it was buried in logs and bushes.

Think these are more pieces from the engine firewalls.

Spark plug wires.

The last of the wreckage that I came upon as I climbed up the slope was this pile. The large pieces are from a wing.

I think that this view is looking from the root section of the right wing, top side.

This piece looks like it's from the outer section of the same wing. I think that the fire damage on most if not all of the wreckage was cause by forest fires. The photos I've seen of the crash site shortly after it was found doesn't show any signs burning .

Inboard section from the rear, this piece is about ten feet long.

One of the engine mounts.

Another view of the inboard section.

Closer view showing the attachment point of one of the tail booms.

Just above the site overlooking the slope that the wreckage is scattered along was a cross with a plaque. Listed were the names of the five people who lost there lives here on November 14, 1991.

Making my way back to the truck. Took an easier route out which put me on the road a few hundred yards from where I started the hike. It's been awhile since I've been out on search, glad that I was able to locate this one as easy as I did.

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