Final Report: Pilot Failed to Maintain Adequate Clearance

Beech 99, Neihart, Mont., Aug. 17, 2004–The NTSB determined the cause of the Alpine Air Beech 99 cargo flight crash was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during cruise, which resulted in the airplane’s hitting mountainous terrain. Dark night conditions and mountainous terrain were contributing factors. Before the accident, the pilot told ATC he was VFR and level at 8,500 feet msl. The airplane hit the near the summit of 9,100-foot Big Baldy Mountain and was destroyed. The ATP pilot and passenger were killed.