Family members and friends of the pilot said that he had departed the southern California area. He landed at Mesa, Arizona, to refuel, and had departed at approximately 1130 MDT. Radar data last recorded the airplane at N33 degrees, 42', 06.1"; W110 degrees, 39', 11.8". The aircraft was at 7,600 feet, and traveling at 142 knots ground speed. The pilot did talk with the ARTCC control approximately 3 minutes after the last radar return, and he was told to contact Albuquerque Center (ARTCC) over St John, Arizona. His last position and heading indicated that the airplane was flying into rising mountainous terrain, with elevations topping at 11,250 feet. The Civil Air Patrol units of New Mexico and Arizona flew extensive searches for the missing aircraft, but the airplane was never found. The search was suspended on October 18, 2003.