Incident
An instrument-rated pilot filed an IFR flight plan for a round trip from Provo, Utah, to Rexburg, Idaho, and back. After arriving in Rexburg, the pilot's son and another passenger disembarked. The son requested that his father stay overnight, but the pilot responded that the aircraft would be hard to start and that he had a class to teach in the morning. Following a brief stopover, the aircraft departed Rexburg. There was no evidence that the pilot activated his IFR flight plan for the return leg. At the time of the accident, a Cessna 310 was on an IFR approach into Rexburg.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft impacted trees at a point approximately 23 feet above ground in a wings-level attitude. It then impacted the ground, shedding approximately 8 inches of propeller tip before becoming airborne again. Subsequently, it impacted power lines and then terrain, with its engine ultimately coming to rest 1,324 feet beyond the tree impacts.
Environmental Conditions
Low ceilings and snow were reported at the Rexburg Airport and accident site, along with dark night environmental conditions.