Beechcraft C99 N205RA

Summary

On 12 February 1999 at about 18:30 local time, a Beechcraft C99 registered N205RA, operated by Ameriflight, Inc., was involved in an accident near Bishop, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 February 1999 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Bishop, California, United States

Coordinates

37.5009, -118.3107

Aircraft

Beechcraft C99

Registration

N205RA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Ameriflight, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tonopah → Bishop

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99FA096

1 person died.

the pilot's failure to follow procedures and directives and his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was repositioning the Beech C99 turboprop cargo hauler on a 73-mile trip without cargo. The pilot had been flying this route for some time and this was his last trip before upgrading to a larger aircraft and route. He told friends that he would take pictures of the scenic parts of the route on his last trip. Three witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying west at low altitude. Two of the witnesses were local ranchers who saw the airplane enter the White Mountains near Trace Plumas Canyon about 7,000 to 8,000 feet msl. White Mountain is 14,246 feet, tapering off north to 13,559 feet and south to 11,285 feet msl. The airplane was reported missing and 2 days later located on White Mountain about 9,400 feet msl. The company flight planned route is 15 miles south of the accident site through Westgard Pass, about 7,291 feet msl. Examination of the low energy impact and the subsequent recovery inspection failed to reveal any mechanical issues.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.