The airplane was destroyed on impacting terrain at 2024 Mountain time following a loss of control while maneuvering for landing. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was observed on radar to fly over the airport from the southwest and turn to the west to maneuver for landing on Runway 9. Several witnesses observed it at a low altitude and appearing to initiate a turn that was followed by a “rapid descent” and impact with the ground. The airplane impacted soft, level terrain in a near-vertical attitude remaining upright with a near zero forward groundspeed. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire.
