What happened
While performing a right downwind circling approach to runway 15, the flight crew notified the tower controller of their position over the airport. During the base leg of the approach, observers and the tower controller noted the aircraft type was in a steep right bank. As the plane drifted past the extended runway centerline, the pilot attempted to correct the course with an even steeper right bank.
The tower controller reported seeing the aircraft exhibit a fluttering motion before it impacted the ground, striking right-wing first, roughly one mile north of the runway threshold. Witnesses at the scene provided various accounts consistent with a loss of control. The final communication from the cockpit included an incomplete transmission regarding a potential stall. The accident took place in the evening, approximately eight minutes prior to sunset, following a recent snow squall that had obscured the nearby mountains.
Findings
Investigation into the circumstances revealed that both engines were functioning with approximately 1,700 pounds of thrust, which was well below the available 2,561 pounds. The terrain at the site was covered in snow. While both pilots were rated for the aircraft type, it was not established which individual was operating the controls during the final moments of the flight. Notably, the specific approach procedure being utilized is not permitted for category D aircraft or during nighttime operations. The minimum visibility required for this approach was three miles, with a minimum descent altitude of 10,840 feet, whereas the airport sits at an elevation of 7,815 feet.