What happened
The pilot contacted the Reno, Nevada, Flight Service Station to request a route forecast for a flight from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Colorado Springs, Colorado. During this contact, the pilot declined a standard briefing. The flight service station advised the pilot of an AIRMET for mountain obscuration and occasional moderate rime icing in clouds and precipitation between 8,000 and 17,000 feet east of the Continental Divide. Additionally, the pilot was notified of IFR conditions from north of Pueblo to Denver.
The pilot filed a VFR flight plan and departed. Witnesses near the accident site reported hearing a low-flying aircraft followed by the sounds of impact. The crash occurred at dusk near the top of a ridge. There were 5 fatalities aboard the aircraft, which was equipped with only four seats.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions included visibility of 100 to 200 feet, fog, intermittent light snow, and freezing temperatures.
The investigation
Investigators found no evidence of preimpact mechanical problems. An examination of the pilot's logbook revealed that although he was instrument rated, he had no recorded instrument flight time, either actual or simulated, within the previous 13 years.
Medical examinations of the pilot revealed patchy fibrosis compatible with previous cardiac ischemia and significant arteriosclerosis. Toxicological analysis showed the presence of thiazides, a diuretic used in heart medication.