On 4 April 1998, Pete Merlin and Tony Moore searched for the F-104A (56-0722) crash site. After an hour or two of searching the desert scrub they came to a deep impact crater surrounded by aircraft debris.

The parts were easily recognizable as F-104 debris. Part numbers and inspection stamps confirmed the identity. The location clinched it. This was undoubtedly Iven Kincheloe's plane.