What happened
On December 23, 2025, a Beech K3 35 bearing registration N9540R was involved in an accident near Summer Lake, Oregon. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to ADS-B flight track data, the aircraft departed Susanville Municipal Airport (SVE) in California at approximately 0730. At 0752, the pilot requested VFR flight following to McNary Field (SLE) in Salem, Oregon. During the flight, the pilot reported turning to avoid clouds, and air traffic controllers relayed reports of light rime icing in the area. The pilot was subsequently informed of additional reports of light rime icing.
At 0833, the aircraft entered a descending right turn. During this phase of flight, the pilot notified the Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) that the engine lost power. The pilot also reported being in clouds and noted that ice was accumulating on the airplane. The last ADS-B data was recorded at 0841 at an altitude of 6,000 feet MSL, approximately 2,300 feet north of the accident site.
Following the issuance of an Alert Notice (ALNOT), a ground search was conducted using signals from an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and iPhone crash detection. Local law enforcement located the wreckage that afternoon, approximately 13 miles southwest of Summer Lake, at an elevation of 5,682 feet MSL.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site showed the aircraft impacted wooded terrain near the Fremont National Forest. The debris path was approximately 135 feet long. The first point of contact was a 100-foot tall tree that had been topped approximately 80 feet above ground level. The main wreckage came to rest inverted. All major structural components were located throughout the debris path.