Incident
An aircraft crashed into a mountain at the 12,000-foot elevation level while operating in bad weather during a cross-country flight. The aircraft was discovered the following day in a snow-covered wilderness area near Leadville, Colorado.
Flight Details
Before takeoff, the pilot was advised of adverse weather conditions along the planned route, and visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. The pilot stated that he would fly out to check the weather and return if conditions became too severe.
Later, the pilot contacted Aspen requesting a navigational fix or assistance to aid in returning. He was told to contact Denver. A local resident heard the pilot attempting to call Denver, but contact was never established.
Subsequent Events
Sometime after the attempted communications, a flight signal was reported. The aircraft was found the following day in a snow-covered wilderness area near Leadville, Colorado.