What happened
During a scheduled company flight conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), an aircraft impacted a mountainside at an elevation of 2,936 feet. At the time of the impact, meteorological conditions were characterized by fog and obscured visibility, with a ceiling of 500 feet and a horizontal visibility of only two miles.
The collision resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Regarding the occupants, the pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger involved in the flight suffered minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was the pilot-in-command's improper inflight planning and decision-making. The crew chose to continue the flight into weather conditions that were already known to be unfavorable. These adverse environmental factors significantly impaired the pilot's ability to navigate the terrain safely and maintain situational awareness.