Accident Sequence
The pilot of a cargo flight departed a remote airstrip for the return leg. An instrument flight plan was on file with the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). After departure, the pilot attempted to contact ARTCC to open the flight plan but did not establish communications. Radar data revealed that following departure, the airplane climbed westbound, then turned southbound toward higher terrain. It circled southwest of the airport and turned eastbound while climbing to 5,300 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane then turned southbound again toward the accident site. The last recorded radar data placed the airplane at 5,200 feet msl. The airplane subsequently struck a ridgeline at approximately 4,800 feet msl, about 6 miles south of the departure airport.
Weather Conditions
AIRMETs (Airmen's Meteorological Information) were in effect for instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, low ceilings, mountain obscurations, rain, fog, and icing in clouds and in precipitation. A witness reported that upon the airplane's arrival at the airport, the airframe had a coating of ice. At the time of departure, snow was falling at the airport.