What happened
During a repositioning flight involving no cargo, an airline transport pilot was operating a Beech C99 on a 73-mile journey. The flight was being conducted as a ferry mission without payload. Witnesses observed the aircraft traveling westward at a low altitude. Specifically, two local ranchers noted the plane entering the vicinity of Trace Plumas Canyon near the White Mountains at an altitude between 7,000 and 8,000 feet MSL.
While the planned flight path was intended to pass through Westgard Pass at approximately 7,291 feet MSL, the aircraft was located two days after being reported missing. The wreckage was discovered on White Mountain at an elevation of roughly 9,400 feet MSL. The terrain in the area is significantly higher than the flight altitude, with White Mountain reaching 14,246 feet MSL.
Findings
An investigation into the wreckage and the nature of the impact provided several key details. The aircraft's impact was characterized as low energy. Upon inspection of the recovered wreckage, investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or technical malfunctions contributing to the crash.