October 11, 1985

White Owl Lake - on the Flat Tops, North of Glenwood Springs

>NTSB Identification: DEN86FA009 For details, refer to NTSB microfiche number 30392A

THE PLT DEPARTED EAGLE ARPT WITH 3 PAX TO FLY THEM TO THE WHITE OWL LAKE AREA FOR THE REPORTED PURPOSE OF LOOKING FOR A POSSIBLE CAMPING SITE FOR HUNTING ACTIVITIES. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED IMC AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. HUNTERS REPORTED LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITY WITH SNOW SQUALLS IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENG SOUND STOP BUT WERE UNAABLE TO SEE THE ACFT BECAUSE VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED BY SNOW. THE ACFT CRASHED ON AN 11,000 FT PLATEAU. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

Probable Cause

VFR flight into IMC..Continued..Pilot in command
Became lost/disoriented..Inadvertent..Pilot in command
Airspeed..Uncontrolled..Pilot in command
Altitude..Uncontrolled..Pilot in command

Contributing Factors

Weather condition..Fog
In-flight planning/decision..Improper..Pilot in command
Weather condition..Low ceiling
Flight into known adverse weather..Initiated..Pilot in command
Weather condition..Snow