Accident Details
A commercial pilot and a passenger departed for a remote airstrip to transport supplies to a mining and gravel operation. The planned route crossed a high mountain pass over terrain covered by glaciers. The aircraft subsequently collided with rising, snow-covered terrain at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet above mean sea level.
Weather Information
The pilot obtained a weather outlook briefing from the Federal Aviation Administration the night before the flight. However, no updated weather information was acquired on the day of the accident. The area forecast indicated marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight rules conditions spreading into the region. Additionally, an AIRMET for turbulence near mountains had been issued for the day of the flight.
Rescue Efforts
Rescue personnel were alerted to the accident by the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter. Initial attempts to reach the crash site were unsuccessful due to low ceilings, low visibility in light snow, and severe turbulence.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.