What happened
During an approach to the Penticton Airport in unfavorable weather, the aircraft struck multiple trees while navigating through a forested region. The impact caused the left wing to be severed from the airframe, leading to a leftward rotation of the plane. The wreckage subsequently came to rest in a snow-covered, heavily wooded area on Mount Okanagan, situated approximately 27 km north of the airport.
Emergency responders successfully evacuated sixteen occupants from the site. While several individuals sustained injuries during the event, the crash resulted in two fatalities, involving both members of the flight crew.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the crew initiated their descent before it was safe to do so. Specifically, the aircraft was flying at an altitude lower than the required minimum of 6,500 feet necessary to clear the terrain of Mount Okanagan. The primary factor in the crash was that the aircraft descended below the minimum safe altitude while passing through the Greata fan marker during an instrument approach procedure via the Penticton Radio Range.