Narrative:The pilot encountered low ceilings, rain and fog while attempting to fly through a narrow mountain pass and successfully reversed course. He then flew into a small canyon off the main pass that terminated in a small glacier-covered bowl surrounded by steep rock walls. When it became apparent during a turn to reverse course that there was insufficient space to complete the maneuver before collision with a rock wall, the pilot retarded the throttles and crash landed on a glacier.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
terrain condition - blind/box canyon
weather condition - low ceiling
aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
weather condition - rain
weather condition - fog
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 year | Accident number: | SEA88FA167 | Download report: | Summary report
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Sources:
» BAAA-ACRO
» NTSB
» Scramble
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Sitka Airport, AK to Petersburg Municipal Airport, AK as the crow flies is 148 km (93 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.