What happened
During a nighttime flight under adverse weather conditions, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The pilot attempted to establish communication with air traffic control but failed to receive any response. Unable to pick up signals from regional beacons due to poor reception, the crew decided to proceed toward Salt Lake City Airport.
Shortly after this decision, visibility dropped significantly. The aircraft struck the slope of Haydens Peak, a mountain located 81 kilometers east of Salt Lake City and 32 kilometers southwest of Knight. The impact forces destroyed the airframe completely. All 19 occupants on board were killed in the accident.
Findings
The investigating board concluded that the crash resulted from a combination of three specific factors. First, static interference rendered radio range signals unintelligible during the final segment of the flight. Second, the crew continued flying into mountainous terrain at an altitude lower than the surrounding peaks without the aid of ground visibility or reliable radio signals to confirm their position. Third, an unpredicted cold front caused a sudden change in weather conditions.