What I figured. I am guessing he had a medical issue???
Was a clear day, so he had to have clear vision of the mountain. If having mechanical problems, certainly Fossett would’ve instictively set off a beacon, or whatever you call it, called in on the radio at least. Even just a 5 secs would have been enough time for someone that seasoned to do something unless there is wicked downdrafting in the area. A sharp slap to the ground would be the only explaination I can think of where Fossett would not have had time to react.
I’m figuring he got in the clouds and had a Cumulogranite experance
Having flown in in that same area many times with a pilot friend, I’m sure Fossett was having a hard time gaining altitude above the Sierra with his small engine plane, the peaks there are well over 13,000 feet, and you have to circle and circle to gain altitude in the thin air. All it would take would be a down draft coming over the mountain range (which happens all the time) to shove him right into a tall peak.
Friend of mine walked off of the dance floor, and between his lifing one foot and putting down the other, he fell dead to the floor. I doubt he had time to realize he was having an ‘event’, before he was dead.