Beech C99 accident near Butte, MT
On March 18, 2006, a Beech C99 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Butte, MT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 18, 2006
- Place
- Butte, MT
- Aircraft
- Beech C99 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.051°N, 112.540°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060329X00363
Official records · SEA06FA068
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Transcript of Radio Communications: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- ATC Personnel Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 2006, approximately 1455 mountain standard time, a Beech C99, N54RP, registered to and operated by Ameriflight Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight, collided with trees and subsequently the terrain located approximately seven nautical miles southwest of the Bert Mooney Airport (BTM), Butte, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport, however instrument meteorological conditions were reported in the area of the accident site. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged by impact damage and a post-crash fire. The airline transport pilot-in-command and a newly hired commercial pilot were fatally injured. The flight departed from Helena, Montana, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. The aircraft was cleared for the VOR B approach to Butte at 1448. When the flight did not arrive at the airport a search was initiated. The wreckage was located in mountainous terrain by search and rescue personnel on March 20, about 0800, after a weak emergency locator transmitter signal was heard by other aircraft. At the time of the accident, a National Weather Service (NWS) volunteer weather spotter located about one and-a-half miles southeast from the accident site reported that a weather front had been approaching the area from the south to the north/northeast. At the time of the accident, and at their residence, the conditions included icing conditions followed by heavy snow fall with poor visibility and variable winds in the mountains surrounding the accident site. PERSONNEL INFO
Probable cause
The second pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure and the captain/PIC's inadequate supervision. Snow and mountain obscuration were factors.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
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Browse: Montana · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
