Beechcraft BE-99 N199GL

Summary

On 18 August 2004 at about 05:40 local time, a Beechcraft BE-99 registered N199GL was involved in an accident near Neihart, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 August 2004 at 05:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Neihart, Montana, United States

Coordinates

46.9778, -110.6097

Aircraft

Beechcraft BE-99

Registration

N199GL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Billings → Kalispell

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

SEA04FA166

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during cruise, which resulted in the in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Dark night conditions and mountainous terrain were contributing factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on the return leg of a non-scheduled 14 CFR Part 135 VFR cross-country flight, the airplane collided with mountainous terrain at approximately 9,100 feet above mean sea level. Prior to the accident, the pilot informed air traffic control that he was VFR and level at 8,500 feet MSL. Dark night conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft crashed on the south-facing slope of the 9,100-foot mountain near the last recorded radar position. Wreckage and impact signatures at the crash site were indicative of high energy and shallow impact with the terrain. The investigation revealed no evidence of any aircraft mechanical problems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.