Accident Overview
A commercial pilot and five passengers departed one day earlier than planned from an uncontrolled airport in mountainous terrain, aiming to complete a night cross-country flight before the arrival of a snow storm. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed. The pilot had received an IFR clearance void time from an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) before departure.
Flight Details
After departure, the pilot began a climb toward a VOR located approximately 27 miles southeast of the airport while attempting to contact the ARTCC to open his instrument flight plan. The pilot failed to maintain terrain clearance and became lost or disoriented during the climb.
Accident Sequence
The airplane struck trees and snow-covered terrain at an elevation of 10,200 feet mean sea level. The impact point was about 7 nautical miles and approximately 22 degrees to the right of the intended course. Four passengers were killed in the accident, while the pilot and one other occupant sustained injuries.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as determined by the official investigation, was the failure of the pilot to plan and conduct his departure flight to avoid high mountainous terrain, during which the pilot became lost or disoriented. A contributing factor was the self-induced pressure to depart before the arrival of the snow storm.