Accident Sequence
On an evening flight, a pilot and two passengers departed North Pole, Alaska, for Portage Creek Strip. During the flight, the pilot contacted Flight Service to obtain weather information. He requested and received weather reports for several locations, and stated he was trying to determine conditions in the foothills of the Alaska Range toward Delta. However, no reports were available for that area.
At approximately 1945 ADT, the aircraft collided with rising terrain near the top of a mountain ridge. Reports indicate it struck the mountain at an altitude of about 4050 feet MSL while in level flight. The top of the ridge was approximately 4090 feet MSL.
Weather Conditions
The 2000 ADT weather observation at Fairbanks, Alaska, located 54 miles southwest of the crash site, reported: 1000-foot overcast ceiling, visibility 30 miles, wind from 240 degrees at 7 knots, temperature 51°F, dew point 47°F. The elevation of the reporting station was 434 feet MSL.
Aircraft Damage
No preimpact mechanical failure was found. The propeller blades were twisted and bent, and the propeller had separated from the crankshaft during impact.