Preflight Weather Conditions
Weather information obtained by the pilot prior to departure indicated low ceilings and visibility with mountain obscurement due to clouds, precipitation, and fog. Forecasts also included occasional moderate turbulence and moderate rime or mixed icing.
Pilot Observation
Another pilot flying in the area at the time of the accident reported observing 'very black clouds' that had a 'roll to them and moving fast.' That pilot also stated that the clouds looked 'very violent,' and noted that before turning around to find an alternate route, he experienced light to moderate turbulence but was not picking up any ice below the cloud base.
Radar and Flight Path
Radar data indicates that after departure, the flight headed in a westerly direction. The radar shows that the airplane made a left turn of approximately 180 degrees and was experiencing rapid increasing and decreasing altitude changes before the airplane descended rapidly and dropped from radar coverage.
Wreckage and Impact
Wreckage was located in mountainous terrain. Evidence indicates that the airplane collided with the terrain in a steep nose-down attitude.