What happened
A commercial pilot, who also owned a fishing lodge, departed from a remote beach area with three passengers to return to the lodge located on the north side of a mountain range. The flight was part of a two-airplane formation transporting lodge guests. Before departure, the pilots of both aircraft discussed various routes through several mountain passes of varying elevations. Due to scattered low clouds partially obscuring some mountain tops, the pilots had verbally agreed to take a longer route that traversed lower terrain.
After takeoff, the pilot of the first airplane decided to deviate from the agreed-upon path, reporting that the most direct route through the mountains appeared to be open. The pilot of the second airplane followed approximately 1/3 mile behind and maintained radio contact. Both aircraft climbed to 3,000 feet MSL, which was the minimum altitude the pilots typically used to cross the pass.
As the flight proceeded northbound, the second pilot observed a solid layer of low clouds obscuring the pass and lost visual contact with the lead aircraft. The second pilot began a 180-degree turn toward lower terrain. During this maneuver, the first pilot radioed the second pilot, suggesting he might want to turn around. When asked if he was turning, the first pilot replied, "well, I'm kind of committed now." This was the final radio communication from the first aircraft.
The second pilot arrived at the lodge and, upon finding the first aircraft missing, departed to search for it. While searching near the mountains under a 900-foot overcast ceiling, the second pilot detected an ELT signal near a creek drainage. Although the aircraft was reported overdue, low clouds prevented a search helicopter from reaching the pass area. The wreckage was located the following day. Of the passengers on board, one passenger died before reaching medical facilities, while another passenger was transported to a hospital for treatment.