Accident Overview
On the night of the accident, a Canadian ATP pilot was flying a multi-engine aircraft with four passengers. As the flight approached the destination, the pilot received vectors for a descent over mountainous terrain. During the approach, he canceled the IFR flight plan and the aircraft descended below radar coverage. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain, northwest of the destination airport.
Sequence of Events
The impact occurred in a wooded area at an elevation of about 2,700 feet. After initial impact with trees, the main portion of the fuselage traveled about 1,000 feet before coming to rest. No preimpact mechanical problem was found.
Wreckage and Search
The ELT did not activate during the accident. A search was initiated on December 1, 1990, but the aircraft and surviving passenger were not found until the next day. The pilot and the four passengers were fatally injured.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's improper inflight planning and failure to maintain proper altitude in mountainous terrain at night.