Accident Overview
On a VFR cross-country flight, a single-engine airplane carrying a non-instrument rated private pilot in the left seat and an airline transport pilot in the right seat collided with mountainous terrain at approximately the 7,000-foot level. The flight had originated in day VFR conditions about 2 hours and 10 minutes prior to the accident and was approximately 30 minutes from the intended destination at the time of the collision.
Weather Conditions
Marginal weather conditions, including snow showers and reduced visibilities, were reported in the area during the timeframe of the accident. Search and rescue personnel reported poor visibility in the area, noting that the hillside where the wreckage came to rest was not visible from the valley due to clouds.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was located on up-sloping, snow-covered terrain near the crest of a ridge line. The debris field encompassed an area approximately 570 feet in length along a magnetic heading consistent with the reported route of flight. Ground scars and wreckage signatures were consistent with controlled flight into terrain.
Aircraft Condition
Post-accident examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the landing gear and wing flaps were in the up position, consistent with a cruise configuration. Additional examination disclosed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction prior to impact.
Pilot Information
It could not be determined which of the two front seat pilots was manipulating the flight controls when the accident occurred.