What happened
During the early morning hours, an aircraft departed at 0500 hours under dark visual meteorological conditions. Radar tracking showed the aircraft traveling in an easterly direction toward its intended destination. During the flight, the aircraft reached and maintained an altitude of 12,500 feet. Approximately three minutes before the aircraft disappeared from radar, the pilot received a partial weather briefing for the destination airports from a flight service station.
The aircraft subsequently struck a ridge line at an elevation of 12,400 feet. The primary debris field was discovered on the eastern side of the ridge at an altitude of 11,400 feet. The accident resulted in two fatalities.
Findings
Post-crash investigations conducted at the site in the high mountainous terrain revealed no signs of mechanical malfunction or equipment failure. The investigation determined that the aircraft collided with terrain during its flight.