Incident Overview
The aircraft was involved in an accident while attempting a visual flight direct to Salt Lake City. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) existed over mountainous areas at the time of the flight.
Flight Path
The probable flight path of the aircraft was one commonly flown by pilots on visual flight rules (VFR) flights. The course taken typically involves following railroad tracks southwest out of Ringling, Montana. The railroad tracks lie along the bottom of a valley generally on a heading of 270 degrees between towering mountains.
Terrain and Weather
The Montana aeronautical chart found in the wreckage indicated high terrain at the end of the valley, which would have been obscured by clouds. The aircraft collided with a mountain at the 6,900-foot level while on a southerly heading.
Conclusion
The accident involved a VFR flight into IMC over mountainous terrain, with the aircraft following a common visual route that led to a collision with rising terrain.