Accident Overview
A Beech 58P aircraft collided with mountainous terrain during a flight conducted in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot had received a 20-minute weather briefing from a flight service station prior to departure. The briefing included forecasts of IFR ceilings along the entire route, occasional moderate turbulence, a SIGMET for severe turbulence and low-level wind shear, strong up and down drafts in the vicinity of mountains and passes, and occasional moderate mixed icing from the freezing level to flight level 200 over the entire route.
Flight Details
After receiving the briefing, the pilot decided to initiate the flight and filed an IFR flight plan. The aircraft was observed on radar climbing through 11,400 feet mean sea level (MSL) at a position overlying an 8,000-foot MSL mountain range. Subsequently, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical problems with the aircraft. The accident occurred as the airplane descended and collided with mountainous terrain while in IMC, consistent with the adverse weather conditions forecasted for the route.