At about 0700 Mountain time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Witnesses reported watching the airplane take off and stated the engine sound appeared normal. Another witness reported frost on parked airplanes’ exposed surfaces during the morning hours of the day prior and day after the accident. The witness stated the weather conditions the day of the accident were similar. The accident site was located about 2.8 miles north of the departure airport. All major structural components of the airplane were located within the 50-foot-long debris path. The fuselage and inboard portions of both wings were mostly consumed by a post-accident fire.
