What happened
At approximately 1900 Alaska Daylight Time, a pilot and two passengers departed North Pole, Alaska, on a flight destined for the Portage Creek Strip. During the cruise portion of the journey, the pilot contacted Flight Service to request weather information. While he received reports for several specific locations, his primary concern was determining conditions in the foothills of the Alaska Range toward Delta. No weather report existed for that specific area at the time.
At approximately 1945 ADT, the aircraft collided with rising terrain near the summit of a mountain ridge. Reports indicate the impact occurred at an altitude of approximately 4,050 feet mean sea level while the aircraft was in level flight. The top of the ridge where the collision took place was estimated to be about 4,090 feet MSL.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction that would have hindered normal operation. The propeller blades were found twisted and bent, consistent with impact forces. Additionally, the propeller had separated from the crankshaft during the collision event.
Weather data available for the vicinity showed conditions at Fairbanks, Alaska, located 54 miles southwest of the crash site, at 2000 ADT. The report indicated an overcast ceiling at 1,000 feet with visibility of 30 statute miles. Winds were from 240 degrees at 7 knots, with a temperature of 51 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 47 degrees. The reporting station elevation was 434 feet MSL.
Findings
The accident occurred in an area where specific weather reports were unavailable to the pilot. The aircraft struck terrain while maintaining level flight at an altitude lower than the surrounding ridge top. Mountainous terrain posed a significant hazard given the lack of localized weather data for the foothills region.