Accident Overview
A private pilot and sole passenger were aboard the lead airplane of a two-aircraft flight operating under Title 14, CFR part 91 as a personal flight. The second pilot, flying the trailing airplane, reported that both aircraft were in radio contact, with the accident airplane approximately one mile ahead as they entered a mountain pass along their intended route. As the flight progressed, both airplanes descended due to worsening weather conditions as they approached the narrowest part of the pass.
Flight and Weather Conditions
The second pilot stated that visibility deteriorated to the point where topographical features became difficult to discern. He informed the accident pilot that he was uncomfortable with the lack of visibility and intended to turn around. According to the second pilot, the accident pilot responded, in part: "Turn around if you can... I am not able to." The second pilot noted that the last time he saw the accident airplane was as it entered a cloudbank. During the accident pilot's final radio transmission, prompted by the second pilot's inquiry about his status, he replied that he was just trying to get through the pass. No further radio communications were received from the accident airplane.
Wreckage and Investigation
No ELT signal was detected, and the search for the airplane was unsuccessful until three days later. The wreckage was located at the 3,100-foot level of the mountain pass in an area of steep terrain. Impact forces and a post-crash fire destroyed the airplane. During the investigator-in-charge's on-site examination, no pre-accident mechanical anomalies were discovered.