Accident
The aircraft collided with mountainous terrain in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). According to a resident of Alpine, Wyoming, mountain tops were obscured and snow showers were present at higher elevations. The pilot had received a weather briefing that included an observation of mountain obscuration by clouds or precipitation.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft struck snow-covered rising terrain at the 9,500 ft level. The impact attitude was nose-high with the right wing low.
Pilot Information
The pilot had filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. He was not instrument rated and had not flown this route before. Review of the pilot's flight log showed that he did not receive any mountain flying instruction before or after obtaining his pilot's license.