N9540RBeech K35 · 1959

On December 23, 2025, about 0841 Pacific standard time, a Beech K35, N9540R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Summer Lake, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to preliminary ADS-B flight track data, the airplane departed Susanville Municipal Airport (SVE), Susanville, California about 0730 and flew northwest. About 0752, the pilot requested visual flight rules (VFR) flight following to McNary Field (SLE), Salem, Oregon, with Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). About 0759, the airplane was at an altitude of about 10,600 mean sea level (msl) and turned toward the west-northwest, and the pilot reported to the controller that he was turning due to clouds. The controller subsequently relayed a weather report and pilot report (PIREP) for light rime icing near the accident pilot’s location. The data showed that the airplane continued on a west-northwest heading for about 9 minutes and climbed to about 12,170 ft msl, before it began a left 250° turn to the northeast. The controller subsequently relayed another PIREP to the pilot for light rime icing in the area.

ADS-B data showed that the airplane continued on a northeasterly heading, at altitudes that varied between 11,370 ft msl and 12,500 ft msl for about 19 minutes. About 0827, the airplane began a left turn to the northwest and climbed to about 12,800 ft msl. About 3 minutes later, the airplane turned right, to the north-northeast and climbed to about 13,100 ft msl. At 0833, the airplane entered a descending right turn and the pilot subsequently reported to the ARTCC controller that the engine lost power. The controller advised the pilot of the closest airport, which was about 13 miles northwest of their location. The pilot subsequently reported that he was in the clouds and that ice was accumulating on the airplane. ADS-B data showed that the airplane continued the descending right turn until the end of the flight track data. The last recorded ADS-B target was at 0841, at an altitude of 6,000 ft msl, about 2,300 ft north of the accident site.

An Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued at 0857 and a ground search was initiated utilizing emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and iPhone crash detection signals being received. The wreckage was located that afternoon by local law enforcement about 13 miles southwest of Summer Lake, Oregon, at an elevation of 5,682 ft msl.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted wooded terrain near the Fremont National Forest. The wreckage debris path was about 135 ft in length and oriented on a magnetic heading of about 245°. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was an approximately 100 ft tall tree that had been topped, about 80 ft above ground level (AGL), 130 ft from the main wreckage. The right wingtip was located about 37 ft from the FIPC. The left stabilizer and elevator were located about 75 ft from the FIPC. The left wing was suspended in a tree about 20 ft above the ground about 110 ft from the FIPC. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, on a magnetic heading of about 238°. All major structural components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.