Accident Overview
On October 17, 2025, at approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, registration N2345R, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Condon, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight and Communication Details
According to a report of preliminary air traffic control (ATC) services, at 1541, the pilot requested a climb to 14,000 ft mean sea level (msl) due to concerns about icing. The controller advised the pilot of icing conditions in the mid-teens. The pilot then requested vectors toward lower terrain and subsequently informed the controller that he was unable to maintain altitude. He declared an emergency, citing icing and an issue with the left engine.
Loss of Radar and Search Efforts
Salt Lake Center (ZLC) lost radar contact with the airplane at 1615. An airplane in the area attempted to relay communications to the accident aircraft but was unsuccessful. Another airplane advised ZLC that they were able to identify the accident airplane at 4,300 ft msl on ADS-B, northeast of Goat Mountain. Family members notified the Federal Aviation Administration when the flight did not arrive at its destination, and an Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued at 1629.
Wreckage Location and Recovery
Search and Rescue aircraft from Malmstrom Air Force Base, along with members of the Missoula County Search and Rescue, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Powell County Sheriff's Office, were deployed. The accident site was located on October 18, 2025, in mountainous terrain at an elevation of 5,286 ft msl near Youngs Creek within the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.