What happened
On the evening of August 10, 2018, a De Havilland DHC-8-402, registered as N449QX, crashed into a wooded area on Ketron Island, located near Steilacoom, Washington. The aircraft departed from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at approximately 19:32 Pacific daylight time. During the flight, the aircraft struck trees, leading to the total destruction of the plane. The pilot, who was operating the aircraft without certification, sustained one fatality in the accident.
At the time of the impact, weather conditions in the region were characterized by visual meteorological conditions. The flight was conducted without a filed flight plan, and the operation was deemed an unauthorized flight. Records indicate that the individual operating the aircraft was a ground service agent for Horizon Air Industries, Inc., and possessed the ability to access aircraft parked on the airport ramp.
Findings
Investigations into the crash were led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the NTSB providing technical support. A primary factor in the event was that the flight was an unauthorized operation conducted by a non-certified pilot. Because the incident fell under the jurisdiction of the FBI, the NTSB did not release a formal investigative report or a public docket regarding the specific mechanics of the impact.