Accident Details
An aircraft collided with the side of Glacier Peak at approximately 10,000 ft above mean sea level (MSL) while in level flight. The flight was en route from Alderwood Manor to the pilot's private airstrip near Spokane, Washington.
Weather Conditions
The exact weather conditions at the accident site at the time of the occurrence are unknown. However, several mountain climbers at an elevation of about 6,000 ft and approximately 2 miles away reported that the sky was obscured, visibility was 50 ft in light to moderate wet snow, with no wind. The temperature was +38 degrees Fahrenheit.
Witness Information
A witness who had flown the same route with the pilot on multiple occasions stated that the flight normally passed south of Glacier Peak at altitudes between 10,000 and 11,000 ft MSL. According to the witness, the pilot used navigational aids along the route and would fly in clouds if the weather dictated. The pilot did not normally communicate with anyone on the radio during flights in the clouds but always obtained a weather briefing before flying.
Communications and Navigation
It is not known which navigational aids, if any, the pilot used during the accident flight. There is no known record of communications between the aircraft and any radio facility.