Accident Details
An aircraft collided with slightly rising terrain while en route from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The crash site was located three miles west of Elbert, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 7,100 feet mean sea level.
At the time of impact, the aircraft's right wing was slightly down and the nose attitude was level. Following the initial contact, the aircraft skipped forward about 90 feet before a second impact, which occurred with a more pronounced right-wing-low and nose-down attitude. The canopy was ejected and was found 20 feet to the right and 30 feet forward of the second impact point.
The aircraft disintegrated from the second impact point along a path approximately 480 feet long and 147 feet wide. The front seat occupants remained strapped in their seats. The rear seat occupant was not strapped in and was ejected 110 feet from the main wreckage.
Witness and Weather Conditions
A witness in Elbert reported that at the time of the accident, the clouds were "on the ground" and visibility was "very poor." Weather conditions at Colorado Springs were recorded as 100% overcast with 3/4 mile visibility in snow. There is no evidence that the pilot checked the weather.
The aircraft's heading at impact was away from a heading that would lead to the flight's destination.