What happened
While performing an approach to the Elko area, a twin engine airplane encountered significant meteorological challenges, including heavy snow, low cloud ceilings, and turbulence caused by nearby thunderstorms. During this phase of flight, the pilot descended beneath the minimum descent altitude (MDA). This maneuver led to the aircraft impacting a hill situated several miles from the airport.
The wreckage of the plane was not located until December 2, three days after the incident occurred. The crash resulted in two fatalities, as both occupants on board were killed in the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements related to the flight environment and operational execution. The primary factor was a failure to adhere to established procedures during instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. Specific environmental difficulties included:
- Low visibility due to low ceilings and blowing snow
- Atmospheric turbulence linked to thunderstorm activity
- Presence of high obstructions in the flight path
- Failure by the pilot to utilize the available instrument approach charts for navigation