The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain at about 0915 Mountain time. The instrument-rated private pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Air traffic control tapes showed the airplane on radar from 0840 to 0902. The last radar contact was approximately 30 miles north of the accident site, at 11,800 feet. There was no record of voice communications between the pilot and ATC. Examination of the airplane and accident site indicates the airplane was approximately 55 degrees nose low when it impacted terrain at a 12,300-foot elevation. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. All three propeller blades showed evidence of chord-wise scratches and leading edge chips.
