What happened
The flight was engaged in a mission to count moose. Prior to the accident, the pilot communicated with another survey pilot working nearby, just over a ridge, noting that while there was some fog in the upper elevations of the assigned area, conditions remained workable.
After completing a standard search, the pilot transitioned to an intensive search pattern. This pattern involves flying a series of slightly overlapping circles or ovals at altitudes between 200 and 300 feet AGL and speeds of 60 to 70 mph, utilizing one notch (15 degrees) of flaps. During this phase of flight, there was no further contact with the aircraft.
The aircraft impacted snow-covered tundra in a nose-first position at an angle of approximately 40 degrees. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was approximately 300 lbs over its maximum certificated gross weight.