What happened
The pilot was operating under visual flight rules on top of the cloud layer at an altitude of 11,000 feet when he began his descent toward the destination airport. The descent started while the aircraft was still approximately 34 miles from the field. As the aircraft passed through 6,500 feet with the airfield in sight, the pilot reported visibility and officially cancelled his flight plan.
Despite these reports, the aircraft continued its approach in deteriorating conditions. Dark night conditions prevailed, characterized by an overcast layer above broken clouds below. Residents in the area reported moderate drizzle at the time of the incident. The weather forecast had previously warned of moderate turbulence below 15,000 feet, including strong updrafts and downdrafts near mountainous terrain. The mountains were obscured by clouds and precipitation.
Radar data indicated that the aircraft was descending rapidly, with speeds exceeding 200 knots and a rate of descent reaching up to 1,200 feet per minute. The aircraft ultimately impacted a ridge at an elevation of 4,100 feet mean sea level, located seven miles from the destination airport. Examination of the wreckage showed that the aircraft struck a steep rocky slope in a nose-high attitude with engine power applied.
The investigation
Investigation of the accident site revealed that the aircraft had impacted a steep, rocky slope. The condition of the wreckage indicated a nose-high impact attitude with the engine producing power at the moment of collision. Radar telemetry confirmed excessive airspeed and a high rate of descent during the final phase of flight.
Findings
The pilot was operating in night visual flight rules conditions while descending through broken cloud layers and precipitation. The aircraft encountered moderate turbulence and strong vertical drafts near mountainous terrain that was obscured by weather. Despite reporting the field in sight earlier, the pilot failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a high-speed descent.
The primary causal factor was the pilot's decision to continue the approach into deteriorating night weather conditions, leading to controlled flight into terrain.