Incident Overview
A pilot flying an aircraft under visual flight rules (VFR) contacted Flight Watch after takeoff and obtained weather information. The briefing included forecast icing conditions and a low ceiling at the destination airport in Jackson, Wyoming. The pilot was subsequently cleared to proceed via Victor 238 airway.
Approach and Navigation
During the arrival, air traffic control cleared the pilot for a VOR/DME approach to runway 36. Radar data indicated that while en route, the aircraft was not tracking the center of the airway, but was positioned a few miles to the right. The controller informed the pilot of this deviation, and the pilot responded that his VOR receiver was "kind of in and out." The pilot's last transmission to the controller, before being cleared for the approach, stated that he was picking up moderate rime ice.
Missed Turn and Impact
At the 16 DME arc, the flight did not execute the required turn to the west onto the arc. Instead, it continued to parallel the airway. Shortly thereafter, radar contact was lost. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain near the top of a 10,741-foot peak, located approximately 11 miles southeast of the airport. The minimum altitude for the approach was 12,700 feet on the arc until passing west of the 165-degree radial, then 11,500 feet until inbound on the 186-degree radial.
Postcrash Examination
Evidence at the accident site indicated that after impact, an avalanche started, and the aircraft slid downhill about 300 feet before coming to rest partially buried in snow. Postcrash examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.