What happened
A charter flight intended to transport cargo and passengers was delayed due to a mechanical issue involving the landing gear. To resolve the situation, a second aircraft carrying a mechanic was dispatched to the location. While the second aircraft successfully transported the passengers, the primary aircraft underwent repairs by the mechanic and departed later with only the cargo on board. This subsequent flight was not operating under a filed flight plan.
During the descent, the aircraft encountered instrument meteorological conditions between 7,000 and 12,500 feet MSL. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered on the side of Mt Torbert at an elevation of 10,570 feet. Inside the cockpit, the pilot-in-command was located in the right seat with a non-aviation book, while the mechanic was positioned in the left seat with a world aeronautical chart open.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors related to the environment and crew actions. The terrain at the site was mountainous and covered in snow, and the flight encountered whiteout conditions. A primary cause was an attempt by the second pilot to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot-in-command failed to follow established procedures and directives. The inquiry also highlighted systemic weaknesses in company operations and insufficient management standards regarding airman requirements.