Accident Summary
The aircraft was conducting a night cargo flight from Phoenix to Flagstaff, Arizona, under an air taxi delivery schedule. The pilot canceled the IFR clearance before reaching Flagstaff and continued under visual flight rules (VFR). During the flight, he encountered lowering ceilings and rain.
Approach and Impact
While on approach, the pilot extended the landing gear and partially extended the wing flaps. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and crashed in an unpopulated area approximately 2.5 miles south-southeast of the airport, at an elevation of about 6,800 feet. The airport elevation is 7,011 feet. Initial impact occurred while the aircraft was in a right 20° bank, oriented toward runway 03. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
Weather Information
Weather data available at the company dispatch office was not current and did not depict the adverse local conditions near the destination airport.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be: VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude during the approach to land. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, the adverse weather conditions, and failure of company/operator/management personnel to provide current weather.