Flight Details
The flight had departed the Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport after a fuel stop. The pilot had earlier indicated to air traffic control (ATC) that he was unfamiliar with the area.
Communications
Prior to departure at 2321, the pilot was informed that departure radar was out of service. The flight departed with a visual flight rules (VFR) departure. At 2324, the pilot was advised that radar was back in service, and confirmed that the aircraft was climbing through 5,300 feet. Discussion ensued between the pilot and controller concerning terrain clearance. At 2324, the pilot indicated he was turning left due to not being sure if a hill was in his path.
Accident
The airplane impacted a mountain at 6,100 feet mean sea level (msl), 1,500 feet below the summit. The minimum vectoring altitude in the area was 11,000 feet. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all six occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: The failure of the pilot to exercise adequate VFR departure terrain avoidance procedures, and the failure of the controller to issue a safety alert to the pilot. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area, the dark night, and the mountainous terrain.