What happened
During a flight originating in Lander and destined for North Platte, Nebraska, the aircraft was operating at cruising altitude when it encountered significant icing conditions. The flight experienced an uncontrolled descent that resulted in a collision with a field. Upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames. There were five fatalities among the occupants of the plane.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements related to the weather and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The flight was operating within an environment characterized by moderate icing forecasts, including the presence of sleet and freezing rain. This led to the accumulation of ice on the airframe.
Crucially, it was determined that the pilot proceeded with the flight despite being aware of four specific maintenance discrepancies that had been deferred. These issues specifically involved the aircraft's anti-ice system, which left the plane vulnerable to the accumulation of ice during the encounter with wintry weather.