Accident Cessna 120 N77316, Monday 11 March 1991

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Date:	Monday 11 March 1991
Time:	14:15 LT
Type:	Cessna 120
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N77316
MSN:	11758
Total airframe hrs:	2742 hours
Engine model:	Continental C-85-12
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Atigan Pass, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Tulik, AK (NONE)
Destination airport:	North Pole, AK
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST BEFORE REACHING A 4,700 FOOT MOUNTAIN PASS, HE ENCOUNTERED RAPIDLY DETERIORATING FLIGHT VISIBILITY AND WHITEOUT CONDITIONS DUE TO SNOW-COVERED TERRAIN AND FALLING SNOW. HE LOST SIGHT OF THE GROUND AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE AIRPLANE AROUND. HE BEGAN A SLOW DESCENT AND CRASH LANDED ON THE SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINSIDE.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT CONTINUED TO FLY VFR INTO IFR CONDITIONS. RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILINGS, WHITEOUT CONDITIONS, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Accident investigation: