What happened
The crew departed Reno on a high-level training mission with the initial destination set for Long Beach, California. While en route, deteriorating weather conditions prompted the captain to initiate a return to the departure point. Shortly after this decision was made, the aircraft experienced a loss of control. The airframe subsequently dove into the terrain and impacted the ground within the American River Canyon near Gold Run. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the death of all three individuals on board.
Findings
Investigations into the specific cause of the loss of control have yielded conflicting accounts regarding the immediate mechanical or environmental failure. One version of events suggests that an explosion occurred within the right wing, which was followed by the separation of both wings from the fuselage. An alternative account points to a fire originating in the cockpit as the primary factor leading to the loss of control and subsequent crash.