Accident Details
An air taxi pilot was conducting a scheduled cargo flight to a remote village in western Alaska when he reported a partial loss of engine power. According to the pilot, he was unable to maintain altitude and subsequently performed a forced landing on a frozen lake. The pilot stated that he was uncertain why the engine experienced a loss of power.
Investigation Challenges
The remoteness of the accident site and extreme winter weather conditions have prevented the recovery of the airplane for examination. As a result, the cause of the engine power loss remains undetermined.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the weather as 4,000 feet overcast with 8 miles visibility. However, other pilots flying in the same general area described the weather as much worse, bordering on instrument meteorological conditions.