What happened
During a flight traveling from Rock Springs to Broomfield, Colorado, the aircraft entered a period of uncontrolled descent while navigating severe weather. While operating under visual flight rules (VFR), the crew encountered significant meteorological challenges that led to a loss of control. The plane subsequently struck the terrain in a high-speed, nose-down, and left-bank attitude within a mountainous area close to McFadden.
All seven occupants of the aircraft were killed in the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing environmental factors that led to the crash. The flight encountered heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which resulted in the accumulation of ice on the airframe. Additionally, the crew experienced intense turbulence associated with nearby thunderstorms and cloud formations.
The primary factor in the accident was spatial disorientation experienced by the crew after they continued to fly under VFR conditions into deteriorating weather. The combination of icing, heavy precipitation, and turbulent atmospheric conditions contributed to the loss of aircraft control.