Ice caused plane crash that killed 2 BYU-Idaho students

Federal investigators have concluded that the crash of a small plane in the mountains of Idaho that killed a San Jose man and four members of his family, which included two BYU-Idaho students, was caused by icing conditions that led to engine failure.

The San Francisco Chronicle cites a National Transportation Safety Board report that says the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza piloted by Dale Smith was not suited for the blustery conditions.

Investigators could not determine whether Smith had obtained weather information before the flight.

The other people killed in the crash were Smith’s son Daniel and Daniel’s wife, Sheree, along with two BYU-Idaho students, the pilot’s daughter Amber Smith and her fiance Jonathan Norton.

The family had taken off from Baker City, Oregon, where they had spent the Thanksgiving holiday, and were flying to Butte, Montana.

The wreckage wasn’t found until Jan. 10.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com