Aircraft Collision with Terrain in Snow-Covered Area (N22219)

Accident Overview and Weather Conditions The aircraft collided with terrain at high airspeed, with wreckage scattered approximately 380 feet from the first impact mark. Local weather was described as broken showers and squalls. A witness on a mountain 24 miles northwest of the accident site reported hearing an aircraft believed to be heading south around the time of the accident. The witness noted cloud cover, very windy conditions, and large clouds moving throughout the day. Visibility was reported as good at times but could become obscured within minutes. The top of nearby Clark Canyon could not be seen. ## Investigation Findings During the on-scene investigation, no pre-crash mechanical discrepancy was noted. No eyewitnesses to the accident itself were found. The accident site was covered with snow, which obscured distinguishing vegetation, rocks, and other surface characteristics. ## Radar Data Radar data indicated a target with a VFR transponder code and no altitude encoder response was on a southwesterly heading in the vicinity around the time of the accident. The last radar response for that target was at 1248:57, about 10 miles north of the accident site.