Accident Overview
On October 15, 2025, at about 1447 Pacific daylight time, a Beech V35 (registration C-FETM) was substantially damaged following an accident near Austin, Nevada. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal operation under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
Preliminary ADS-B data indicated the airplane departed West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG) in Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada, around 0903. It flew southwest and arrived at Grant County International Airport (MWH) in Moses Lake, Washington, at about 1003. After departing MWH at approximately 1149, the aircraft flew south/southeast, climbing to 9,300 ft mean sea level (msl). Around 1345, it initiated a climb to 12,000 ft msl and subsequently fluctuated between 11,100 ft msl and 12,400 ft msl for the remainder of the data. At about 1414, the airplane turned southwest; by 1419, it turned southeast and maintained that heading until the end of the recorded data. The last ADS-B data point, located about 7 miles northwest of the accident site, showed the airplane at 11,100 ft msl.
Search and Wreckage Location
On October 16, 2025, at 1331, an Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued following reports from family members that the airplane was overdue. A private citizen who volunteered to search by air located the wreckage later that day, approximately 16 miles northeast of Austin, Nevada, at an elevation of 10,195 ft msl.
Accident Site Examination
Examination revealed that the airplane impacted mountainous terrain near the top of Mt. Callaghan, on the western slope near the peak. The debris field spanned about 992 ft in length, oriented on a magnetic heading of 147° from the first identified point of contact (FIPC) to the main wreckage, and 172° from the main wreckage to the end of the debris field. The main wreckage was situated about 574 ft from the FIPC and came to rest inverted on a magnetic heading of approximately 270°, on the eastern slope. All major structural components were observed throughout the debris field.
Further Examination
The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.