What happened
The flightcrew initiated a flight intended to reposition the aircraft to an airport located approximately 30 miles southeast of the departure point. The mission plan involved picking up passengers for a subsequent revenue flight. Although an IFR flight plan and a slot reservation had been filed for the transit over mountainous terrain, the aircraft departed under VFR conditions, and the crew did not activate the filed flight plan.
During the flight, the aircraft struck a mountain peak at an elevation of 3,475 feet msl. The resulting debris field was consistent with the aircraft being in a straight and level flight phase at the moment of impact. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing instrument meteorological conditions. No mechanical failures were identified during the examination of the wreckage.
Findings
Investigation into the operator's history revealed a pattern of weather-related incidents. The operator had been involved in two previous accidents caused by weather, both of which resulted in fatalities. Additionally, a third accident involving the operator was identified, though the weather conditions during that event were not documented. Records indicate that the same FAA principal operations inspector had been assigned to oversee this operator during all four of these incidents over a 14-year period, and no regulatory actions were taken following the previous accidents.