Accident Details
According to the pilot's report, after entering Tioga Pass, the aircraft made a left turn to follow the center of the pass. During the turn, the aircraft began to sink. The pilot applied full power and adjusted to best angle of climb speed but was unable to stop the descent. The aircraft subsequently struck an electrical transmission tower, crashed, and began burning. The crash site elevation was 9,538 feet, and the density altitude was approximately 13,000 feet.
Injuries and Witness Accounts
The two passengers on board received serious burns, while the pilot and one person on the ground sustained minor injuries. Ground witnesses reported that the aircraft was flying excessively low before the accident.