February 15, 2012, North Bend, Wash., Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
The airplane cruised into the western face of Mount Si at about 0154 Pacific time. It fragmented upon impacting trees and upsloping mountainous terrain, which resulted in substantial structural damage. The commercial pilot held a flight instructor certificate; the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Dark night visual conditions prevailed. A pilot-rated witness observed the anticollision and navigation lights from a low-flying airplane cruising southeasterly.