Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F, N2345R, fatal accident occurred on October 17, 2025, near Condon, Montana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2345R

- History of Flight:
On October 17, 2025, at about 1615 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F, N2345R, registered to Blue Wave Air LLC out of Huntsville, Alabama, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Condon, Montana. The airline transport pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL/KBIL), Billings, Montana, and was destined to Polson Airport (8S1), Polson, Montana.

According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data (figure 1), at 1402, the airplane departed KBIL and entered a straight climb into an altitude 10,300 ft. At 1436, the airplane entered another climb to an altitude of 14,00 ft. At 1517, the airplane descended to 12,200 ft. At 1542, the airplane climbed 13,200 ft and cruised at that altitude for the reminder of the flight with an average groundspeed between 100-100 knots. At 1609, the airplane entered a descending left hand turn and decelerated to about 73 knots GS, consistent with a turn-around or 180 turn. A few seconds later, the airplane continued turning left, and was now on a northeastern heading. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1615:16, the airplane was at 9,900 ft, 130 knots groundspeed, with an average rate of -400 feet per minute (fpm).

Figure 1: Entire Flight (Flysto)

Figure 2: End of Track (Flysto)

The flightaware and ADS-B exchange tracking sites show that the airplane may have flown into some adverse weather activity at the time of the 180 turn.

- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 58, hold an airline transport pilot certificate (issued/updated 7/18/2014) with a rating for airplane single engine land and airplane multiengine land. He also held commercial privileges for airplane single engine sea, rotorcraft/helicopter, and instrument helicopter.

He also held a flight instructor certificate, issued/updated on 11/28/2023. His second class FA medical was issued on April 2025, with a note about wearing corrective lens(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.

- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 27-8154019, was manufactured in 1981. It was a six-seat, low wing, retractable gear airplane powered by two Lycoming IO-540 SER engines.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unconfirmed online chatter suggests the airplane broke apart inflight.

- Weather:
(1) METARs:

METAR K7S0 172135Z AUTO 23013G19KT 10SM FEW050 FEW055 FEW080 12/01 A2981 RMK A01
METAR K7S0 172155Z AUTO 25019G24KT 10SM FEW050 SCT060 SCT085 11/01 A2981 RMK A01
METAR K7S0 172215Z AUTO 24017KT 10SM FEW065 SCT075 BKN085 11/02 A2981 RMK A01
METAR K7S0 172235Z AUTO 25019G29KT 10SM SCT065 BKN075 BKN085 11/02 A2982 RMK A01

METAR KGTF 172153Z 24028G40KT 10SM SCT080 13/M03 A2967 RMK AO2 PK WND 24041/2140 SLP047 T01331028 $
METAR KGTF 172253Z 27023G33KT 10SM FEW065 FEW080 SCT095 13/M01 A2969 RMK AO2 PK WND 25038/2159 SLP053 T01331011 $

(2) Area Forecast Discussion:

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
109 PM MDT Fri Oct 17 2025

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  Scattered showers and gusty winds (choppy lake conditions)
   this afternoon/evening

-  Minor travel impacts over mountain passes Sunday night/Monday
   due to snowfall

Satellite imagery this afternoon indicates a fast-moving
disturbance moving north to south near the Canadian border, as
well as a well-formed low pressure circulation off the coast of
Alaska. In the near term, the Canadian disturbance will bring
gusty winds and chances for precipitation this afternoon.
Precipitation will move from north to south with the shortwave.
Expect winds of about 30 mph across the higher terrain and some
valleys of western Montana. Gusts to 40 mph will grace the
Continental Divide. Boaters on Flathead Lake should be prepared
for strong winds and choppy seas. Showers will be most
frequent over the higher terrain but may occasionally move across
valleys, locally enhancing wind gusts. Snow levels will stay above
5000 feet, with only minor accumulations expected in the high
backcountry.

A short-lived ridge of high pressure will build on Saturday as the
Alaskan circulation moves south and east towards the Pacific
Northwest. After a day of mostly fair weather on Saturday, that
circulation will arrive in Washington state on Sunday. The
pattern turns active as a cold front associated with this system
enters the Northern Rockies. Expect widespread showers and gusty
winds on Sunday morning through the afternoon, once again
producing choppy lake conditions.

Snow levels will begin near 7000 feet on Sunday but will drop
sharply to 4500 feet by Sunday night. The main concern will be
accumulating snow over mountain passes late Sunday into Monday
morning, enhanced by lingering showery, upslope flow. Current
ensemble means suggest 2-4 inches of snow for Lolo, Lookout, Lost
Trail, and Marias Passes, with 4-8 inches in the higher terrain.
These conditions will create cold, snowy, and potentially
hazardous travel for backcountry users. While some valley
locations may see rain mixed with snow by Monday morning, snow
accumulation will be minimal at best.

Looking ahead, much of next week appears mild, with seasonable to above-
normal temperatures and occasional light showers. However,
ensemble trends hint at the potential for a more significant
atmospheric river event around October 25-27 with a moderate risk
of heavy mountain snow. Stay tuned for updates as details become
clearer.


&&

.AVIATION...A cold front will move through the region today,
bringing widespread west winds. Gusts up to about 25 knots will
develop across most terminals by 17/1900Z. There remains a low
(~20%) probability for gusts reaching or exceeding 35 knots,
particularly in association with stronger showers or storm
outflows. Scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm are
possible through about 18/0600Z under west-northwesterly flow.
These could briefly reduce visibility and lower ceilings, leading
to a temporary deterioration in flight conditions.

Clearing and drying are expected tonight into Saturday, with the
potential for patchy morning valley fog or low stratus to
redevelop.

- Additional Information:
None