What happened
A pilot and five passengers departed from a rural airstrip on an eastbound cross-country flight through high mountainous terrain. Prior to the flight, the pilot had reviewed weather reports for several mountain passes along the route, which indicated wind speeds of 40 knots and turbulence. Additionally, area forecasts included AIRMETs for icing conditions, turbulence in all mountain passes, and mountain obscuration.
Aware of the potential for turbulence, the pilot climbed the unspecified aircraft to 13,500 feet. As the flight approached the lee side of the planned crossing point, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts. Despite the application of full power, the airplane continued to descend toward blowing snow along the mountain ridge. The pilot attempted to land into a snow bank, but the aircraft collided with snow-covered terrain at 10,500 feet MSL. The impact resulted in the landing gear and the belly-mounted cargo pod being torn from the fuselage.