What happened
On a night departure from Jackson Hole Airport, an unnamed four-engine aircraft was en route to New York-JFK. The mission involved transporting a U.S. Secret Service communications vehicle following President Bill Clinton's stay in the Jackson Hole area. The flight carried eight crew members and one U.S. Secret Service agent.
Approximately five minutes after departing at 22:45 local time, the aircraft was in its climbing phase when it collided with the slope of Mt Sleeping Indian. This mountain reaches an elevation of 3,427 meters and is situated roughly 18 km southeast of the departure airfield. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were nine fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident concluded that the crash was a result of controlled flight into terrain. The crew failed to adhere to established instrument departure procedures during the night flight. Contributing factors included the crew's lack of familiarity with the airport and insufficient preparation for operating in the area under nighttime conditions.