What happened
The aircraft departed Port Angeles in the morning with a planned route to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The flight included an intermediate stop at Medford, Oregon, and the primary objective was to transport the seaplane for maintenance. Approximately four hours into the journey, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions.
While navigating at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with a mountain peak. The impact caused the wing to be sheared off, leading to a loss of control. The plane subsequently crashed and caught fire on the slope of Mt Richter, coming to rest at an elevation of 4,200 feet.
In the aftermath of the accident, four crew members lost their lives. Two passengers were successfully rescued from the wreckage. The crew consisted of a pilot, a copilot, a mechanic, and a radio operator, while the passengers were two civilians.