Accident Overview
An aircraft collided with a ridgeline while the pilot attempted to fly through a mountain pass. The pass, identified as Merrill Pass, was crested at approximately 3,600 feet and surrounded by elevations exceeding 8,000 feet mean sea level.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he was attempting to get through Merrill Pass because of hunters who had been stranded at Tundra Lake. He reported that he had left food for them and was planning to contact the air taxi operator who had brought the hunters there and was supposed to have returned for them. As the pilot reached Merrill Pass, he said that fog rolled in quickly and a downdraft prevented him from cresting the top.
Terrain Details
Merrill Pass has a crest elevation of about 3,600 feet, while the surrounding terrain rises to over 8,000 feet MSL. The collision occurred when the pilot was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the ridgeline due to the fog and downdraft.