The airplane sustained substantial damage when it collided with mountainous terrain at approximately 1100 Mountain time, The solo pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A preliminary review of radar data revealed a VFR target proceeding north-northwest before making a left turn toward the west and continuing on a westerly heading toward rising terrain before radar data ended at approximately 1100. The crash site was in remote, heavily wooded and mountainous terrain at an approximate elevation of 11,700 feet. The airplane came to rest inverted in approximately six feet of snow. Both wings had separated from the airframe.
