Accident Details
The pilot had entered into an agreement with five passengers to fly them to a ski resort. According to the airplane owner, the pilot in command, who was the company pilot, did not have permission to use the airplane, nor did the owner know the passengers. The destination airport is located in mountainous terrain at an elevation of 6,750 feet mean sea level (MSL). There is no instrument approach available at that airport.
Collision
The airplane collided with terrain on Mount Clark at approximately 6,580 feet MSL, about 7.5 miles southwest of the destination airport. Examination of the wreckage and impact site revealed that the aircraft struck a brush and snow-covered 45-degree slope while in a level left turn. All seven occupants on board were killed.
Weather Conditions
No record exists of any preflight weather briefings. Weather in the area was reported as mountains locally obscured, with ceilings of 3,000 to 5,000 feet scattered to broken and tops reaching 9,000 feet. Widely scattered visibilities below 3 miles were reported with snow and rain showers.
Probable Cause
The official findings state that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's poor judgment in continuing visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain obscured by clouds. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, the weather conditions, and the high mountainous terrain.