Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft, owned by David E. Gast, struck the slope of a mountain in the region of Elko during en route operations. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed in the impact. The accident occurred after weather conditions deteriorated significantly during the flight.
Weather Conditions
According to the official investigation, the aircraft encountered worsening weather conditions while en route. These included snow falls, thunderstorm activity, and turbulence. Visibility was low at the time of the accident. The pilot had been operating under visual flight rules (VFR) despite the adverse conditions, which featured turbulence associated with clouds and thunderstorms, as well as downdrafts and updrafts.
Search and Recovery
Search and rescue (SAR) operations were initiated but were hampered by the poor weather conditions. After several days, the search was suspended. The wreckage was eventually located on May 13, 1965, in an isolated area. The aircraft was found to have sustained extensive damage from the impact.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be a loss of control following a powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The pilot had continued flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, including turbulence, clouds, thunderstorms, downdrafts, and updrafts.