Departure and Weather Briefing
The flight originated in Camarillo, California, with a planned destination of Flagstaff, Arizona. Before departing Camarillo, the pilot obtained a weather briefing. At that time, the reported weather at Flagstaff included a zero ceiling and 1/16 mile visibility. The briefing also warned of occasional light rime icing above the freezing level in California and marginal VFR conditions beyond the California border.
Refueling Stop and Final Leg
The pilot departed Camarillo at about 1600 MST and made a refueling stop at Kingman, Arizona. Before departing Kingman, he reported that he would be following the highway.
Collision with Terrain
Subsequently, the airplane collided with high terrain at night at an elevation of 7,000 feet, just north of U.S. Highway 140, while on a westerly heading.
NTSB Report Findings
According to an NTSB report, the cloud level in that vicinity would have been at about 5,000 to 6,000 feet, and the freezing level would have been at 7,000 feet. Mixed icing conditions were probable from 7,000 to 16,000 feet MSL.