Accident Overview
A Piper PA-18 aircraft, equipped with tundra tires, was found vertically embedded in a sloping snowfield within a 5,000-foot elevation bowl surrounded by 7,000-foot terrain. The pilot, who also served as a certified hunting guide, was conducting his first flight as pilot for big game spotting.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 3 hours of self-taught experience in the tundra tire equipped PA-18 and 25 total hours of solo time. This accident flight was his fourth flight in the PA-18 make and model, with a total of 4.3 hours of solo time in that specific aircraft. Notably, the pilot had no previous preparation or training for flying in high terrain.
Accident Circumstances
The aircraft was discovered in a vertical orientation, impaled in the snow. The surrounding area featured mountainous terrain with peaks reaching 7,000 feet, while the accident site itself was located in a bowl at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. Specific details regarding the date, time of day, weather conditions, or air traffic control involvement were not documented in the source material.
Findings
The investigation noted the pilot's limited experience and lack of high terrain flight preparation as significant factors, but the source did not explicitly state a probable cause. No information was provided about occupants, injuries, or extent of aircraft damage.