What happened
A flight consisting of two aircraft was operating under Title 14, CFR part 91 for personal purposes. The lead aircraft was being operated by a private pilot with one passenger on board. According to the pilot of the second aircraft, both planes were in radio contact as they approached a mountain pass along their intended route. As the flight progressed toward the narrowest section of the pass, both aircraft descended due to worsening weather.
The pilot of the second aircraft reported that visibility decreased until topographical features became difficult to distinguish. Concerned by the conditions, the second pilot informed the lead pilot that he was turning around. The lead pilot reportedly responded that while the second pilot could turn around, he was not able to do so. The last time the second pilot observed the aircraft was as it entered a cloudbank. During a final radio transmission, in response to an inquiry from the second pilot, the lead pilot stated he was attempting to get through the pass. No further communications were received.
Following the loss of contact, no ELT signal was detected. The search for the aircraft was unsuccessful until three days later, when wreckage was located at the 3,100-foot level of the mountain pass in an area of steep terrain. The impact forces and a postcrash fire had destroyed the aircraft.
The investigation
An on-site examination of the wreckage by the Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies.