Flight Planning
A pilot obtained a weather briefing for a cross-country flight from Boulder to Steamboat Springs. The briefing included a SIGMET for severe turbulence due to strong winds in the vicinity of the mountains, and AIRMETs for mountain obscuration and moderate to severe turbulence. Forecast winds aloft were 310 degrees at 48 knots at 9,000 feet, 320 degrees at 56 knots at 12,000 feet, and 310 degrees at 66 knots at 18,000 feet. The pilot initially planned to rent a car but later changed his mind.
Weather Conditions
While en route, the pilot encountered low visibility and obscuration due to blowing snow and mountain obscuration. According to a witness, weather conditions at the time of the accident included snow, blowing snow, limited visibility, and winds gusting to approximately 40 mph. The witness described it as "a stormy day to be sure."
Accident Sequence
The pilot decided to turn around and descend. He was then "caught in a powerful smooth air downdraft." The aircraft impacted the ground, and the right wing and left landing gear were sheared off. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 18 years of flight experience, the majority and most recent of which was conducted in California. He was unfamiliar with the geographic location and with mountain flying.