What happened
A night flight conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) ended in a fatal accident when the aircraft struck a mountain. The flight, carrying a pilot and one passenger, was operating in weather conditions that transitioned between instrument and visual meteorological conditions. While approximately 17 miles southwest of the intended destination, the pilot received clearance for an instrument approach. As the aircraft reached 9 miles from the airport, the pilot reported seeing the airfield and subsequently canceled the IFR clearance.
During the descent on a modified left base for runway 32, radar contact with the aircraft was lost at an altitude of 3,300 feet MSL. Shortly before the loss of contact, the pilot had been in radio communication with a family member, noting his position on the base leg. No distress signals were transmitted to air traffic control or the pilot's contact prior to the disappearance. The wreckage was discovered the following morning, situated roughly 7.9 miles from the airport and approximately 1,200 feet above the airport's elevation. The aircraft was found positioned about 100 feet below the mountain's peak, with a path cleared through the trees leading to the main debris field.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage and both engines showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunctions prior to the impact. Environmental conditions at the time of the accident included light snow showers, as recorded by ground-based weather radar, and a solid overcast layer visible via satellite imagery. The impact with terrain occurred while the aircraft was in the approach phase of flight. The accident resulted in two fatalities.