Jan. 11, Vandiver, Ala. / Cessna Stationair

At 19:15 central time, a Cessna 206H struck trees on top of Penitentiary Mountain, killing the pilot. The Part 135 cargo flight was not operating on a flight plan and instrument conditions prevailed. Neither the FAA nor the cargo company reported having any communications with the flight, which was en route from Gainesville, Ga., to Bessemer, Ala. The operator notified authorities when the flight became overdue and an ELT signal was detected. The wreckage was spread on the upslope of the 1,400-foot mountain and on the downslope on the other side of the peak.