20251223019749A

On December 23, 2025, a non-instrument-rated private pilot flying a Beechcraft K35 en-route from susanville, California, to salem, Oregon, was fatally injured when the pilot impacted the ground approximately 24 miles south of Silver Lake, Oregon. One dog was on board that was seriously injured. No other passengers were on board. The following UTC times are approximate. 1553 UTC, the pilot requested flight following from the seattle air route traffic control center (ARTCC). 1609 UTC, the pilot communicated to the controller that he was trying to pick his way through the clouds and trying to find a place to get over the top of the clouds or back under. 16:34 UTC pilot reported loss of engine, and the controller asked if the pilot was in IMC weather conditions which the pilot responded that he was in the clouds and trying to keep his wings level. 16:36 UTC, the pilot communicated to the controller that the engine was still running but shaking. 16:38 UTC, the pilot communicated that the windshield was icing up. 16:39 UTC, the controller stated the pilot was in a right-hand turn and descending, and to try to keep the wings level. At 16:40 UTC, the controller asked if the pilot could see the ground, to which the pilot responded in the affirmative. 16:41 UTC, ATC reported radar contact was lost, and no other radio communication was made by the pilot. The accident site revealed that the first identified point of contact was standing trees approximately 100 ft tall. The left-hand wing was separated from the fuselage and suspended in a tree about 20 ft above the ground. The left-hand stabilizer and elevator were detached from the aircraft and located approximately 90 ft from the airplane’s final resting spot. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, on a magnetic heading of a magnetic heading of about 227 degrees, coordinates 42°51’4” n, 120°58’53”w, elevation 5680’. All major structural components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path.