What happened
The flight arrived from Denver without incident before the crew began their final approach to Cheyenne Airport. The operation took place at night under marginal weather conditions that significantly reduced visibility. During the descent, the aircraft descended lower than intended and struck the top of a hill. After impact, the airframe traveled approximately 300 meters before coming to rest in a fireball. All 12 occupants were killed in the crash.
Findings
The investigation examined why the aircraft was so close to the ground at the moment of first contact. Investigators considered the possibility that the copilot reported their position as being near Silver Crown, which may have led the pilot to believe they were closer to the airport than they actually were. This misunderstanding could have caused an earlier or steeper descent than required. Another factor under review was a potential misreading of the altimeter, suggesting the pilot believed the aircraft was higher than it truly was. The Accident Board concluded that an additional 1,000 feet of altitude would have allowed for a standard power glide to the runway. The official determination was that the accident resulted from an error by the pilot in judging either altitude or distance from the airport, or both.