What happened
During a flight traveling from Burbank toward Seattle-Tacoma Airport, an aircraft crashed into a mountainside at Panther Peak. The incident occurred while the plane was navigating through marginal weather conditions at an altitude of 8,500 feet. During the descent into the terrain, the plane struck trees on the slope, leading to the total destruction of the airframe.
There were two fatalities involving both members of the crew. At the time of the impact, the flight was significantly off-course, positioned approximately 45 miles east of its designated flight path.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that the aircraft was operating at an altitude of 8,500 feet, which failed to meet the required minimum altitude of 14,500 feet for that area. The deviation from the assigned route and the low altitude were likely the result of a navigation error.