Accident Overview
On July 1, 1987, an aircraft carrying a pilot and three passengers crashed in a box canyon in mountainous terrain near Cody, Wyoming. The flight was returning to Dallas, Texas, from a retreat in Montana. The wreckage was located by the Civil Air Patrol after the aircraft was reported overdue by family.
Flight Details
The pilot filed an IFR flight plan from White Sulphur Springs, Montana, to Casper, Wyoming, but did not activate it after departure. Before takeoff, the pilot added 35 gallons of fuel, a mixture of 80 and 100 octane, for an estimated total fuel load of 213 gallons.
Wreckage and Impact
The crash site was at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet in a box canyon. The impact area was a rolling meadow surrounded on three sides by mountains, with entrance to the area from the north-northeast. Evidence indicated the aircraft impacted in a left wing low, nose low attitude after turning to a heading of about 050 degrees. No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was found.
Weather and Terrain
Weather conditions approximately 27 miles south-southeast of Cody, Wyoming, were reported as: scattered clouds at 18,000 feet, overcast at 25,000 feet, and visibility of 30 miles. The elevation at Cody was about 5,000 feet lower than the crash site. The terrain in the area is mountainous and hilly.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was an in-flight collision with terrain during maneuvering. Findings included: improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot in command, overconfidence in the aircraft's ability, high density altitude, mountainous/hilly terrain, and failure to attain proper altitude.