Overview
An aircraft collided with rising terrain at the 12,500-foot level. The summit of the terrain was approximately 200 feet above the crash site. Three individuals were victims of the accident; they had been guests for the weekend at a ranch near Gunnison.
Pilot Information
The pilot was described by the ranch host—also a pilot and a friend—as "the best pasture pilot I ever knew." The host stated that the pilot disliked using the radio, never filed a flight plan, and was not familiar with omni (VOR navigation). The host had asked the guest pilot to postpone the flight, but the guest pilot assured that if weather conditions were not satisfactory, the flight would return to the ranch.
Flight and Weather Advisories
The pilot had been advised by Flight Service Station specialists that VFR flight was not recommended along the planned route because of icing levels and mountain obscuration. Despite this advisory, the pilot chose to proceed and departed without filing a flight plan.