What happened
An aircraft crashed after colliding with a tree near the destination airport at Nyac, Alaska. The pilot had attempted this flight from Aniak to Nyac the day prior but returned to Aniak due to adverse weather conditions. At the time of the accident, snow was falling with winds reported by a local resident as 40 mph, gusting to 60 mph or higher. Another witness noted visibility was below one-half mile.
The aircraft impacted the ground in a 25-degree nose-down attitude after the left wing contacted a spruce tree eight inches in diameter. Following the initial ground impact, the aircraft bounced back into the air and traveled approximately 250 feet before coming to a stop. Aircraft parts were scattered from the initial contact point to the final stopping location. A fire erupted as a result of the accident.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction of the aircraft systems.
Findings
The collision with terrain was caused by poor visibility and severe weather conditions, including heavy snow and high winds, which likely contributed to spatial disorientation or loss of control. The pilot's decision to continue the flight despite previous weather-related diversions played a significant role in the outcome.