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rime ice. This condition necessitated the use of propeller alcohol and although it was used, the icing condition was such that they were still getting a buildup of ice on the propeller. Light turbulence was also encountered. This pilot testified that any aircraft flying a route similar to his could not have been VFR unless flying higher that 12,000 feet.
The captain of a West Coast Airlines flight, departing Boeing Field at 1401, four minutes before the departure of Logair 6541C, reported cloud conditions to the east over the Cascades appeared to be layered with slightly darkened cumulus clouds interspersed. This flight was cleared to proceed via V-4 to cruise at 11,000 feet, destination Yakima. The flight reported entering the coulds around 6,000 feet, climbing. At 11,000 feet light icing and turbulence was experienced and a cruising level of 13,000 feet was requested. Since a storm cell was detected on aircraft radar a little south of course, a cruising level of 15,000 feet was requested. The captain stated that the flight broke out of the cloud around 14,000 feet.
1.8Aids to Navigation
The following aids were available to the flight: The Boeing Field ILS and low frequency beacon (Homer), the Seattle VORTAC (VOR/DME), Olympia VOR, and the Seattle ARTCC radar. Federal Aviation Agency ground certification checks disclosed the facilities were in normal operation. The FAA flight check of the Seattle VORTAC disclosed the facility was operating within prescribed tolerances. The flight check further revealed the accident site was located on the 125-degree radial at 40.2 nautical miles from the facility.
The Seattle ARTCC radar was in use at the time of the accident and was found to be operating satisfactorily. The radar controller testified that at no time during the period that he was in contact with the flight did he observe a radar target which could have been associated with N6541C.
1.9Communications
Ground certification checks performed by the FAA Systems Maintenance Service technicians revealed all FCC and ARTCC communications equipment was operating within prescribed tolerances. Investigation revealed that at no time during the flight had the crew reported any difficulty concerning communications equipment.
1.10Aerodrome and Ground Facilities
None of the aerodrome or ground facilities pertinent to the flight were a factor in this accident.
1.11Flight Recorders
There was no flight recorder installed in this aircraft nor was one required.
1.12Wreckage
Although the accident occurred between 1423:03 and 1423:18 on April 23, 1965, the wreckage was not located until approximately 1045, April 24. The aircraft had crashed on the west slope of Mt. Rainier, two miles west of the 14,410-foot summit on South Mowich Glacier.
