Accident Overview
A non-scheduled Part 135 cargo flight conducted under night visual flight rules (VFR) ended when the aircraft impacted heavily forested mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 10,500 feet. The flight had departed and climbed to a cruise altitude of 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl). Approximately 24 minutes after departure, the airplane began a secondary climb. The last radar return was received about one minute later. The minimum en route altitude (MEA) for a nearby airway was 13,300 feet.
Aircraft and Operational Context
The flight was operating under Part 135 regulations for cargo transport. The pilot filed no specific instrument flight plan, and the operation was conducted under VFR at night. Radar data provided the only tracking information, with no additional communications recorded. The aircraft's type, registration, and operator were not specified in the source.
Weather and Terrain
Approximately one hour before the accident, another pilot who flew by the mountain reported instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with numerous low-intensity rain showers in the area. The terrain at the impact site was heavily forested and mountainous, with the crash site elevation exceeding the aircraft's last known cruise altitude.
Examination Findings
A postimpact examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact anomalies. The aircraft appeared to have been fully operational at the time of impact, with no mechanical failures or system malfunctions identified.