Another famed and experienced pilot meets a simple fate . . . .kind of reminds me of the rich and legendary Reno race pilot, Leroy Penhall of the 70's
Also super experienced, he too had crashed at Mammoth, but during a winter takeoff at the nearby high altitude Mammoth lakes airport. . . . .. NTSB ruling - no pre flight engine run up - he attempted take off with cold oil/flat pitch in his twin engined Beechcraft Duke's props . .went into the trees and exploded.