Accident Overview
The accident occurred during a non-scheduled cargo flight that was planned to follow a course of approximately 240 degrees for 92 nautical miles. The wreckage was located on a heavily forested, steep mountain slope, situated 15 to 16 nautical miles north of the airplane's intended flight path. The debris field began along an east-west ridge line and extended for 300 feet along a 010 degree track to the final resting place of the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the airframe and engines revealed no evidence of preimpact discrepancies, indicating the aircraft was mechanically sound prior to the accident. The accident site was noted for its peak autumn colors of aspen trees and was an area where elk were occasionally observed, though these observations were incidental to the investigation.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be the flight crew's intentional low altitude flight and their failure to maintain obstacle clearance. No other causal factors were identified.