Flight Details
The accident involved a cross-country flight conducted over mountainous terrain. The pilot had filed for a visual flight rules (VFR) departure and destination, although instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were forecast along the route of flight.
Weather Conditions
At the departure and destination airports, weather conditions were reported as VFR. However, along the route, IMC were forecast. Witnesses in the area of the accident reported a snow storm. Weather conditions in that area were reported to include icing and turbulence, with mountains obscured by clouds.
Discovery and Wreckage
The airplane was reported overdue and was located three weeks later. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane had impacted snow-covered terrain at high speed, in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude.