Accident Summary
A pilot and four passengers were in an airplane approaching Anderson Pass at approximately 7,500 feet above mean sea level when they encountered turbulence. The airplane began to sink, prompting the pilot to turn in an attempt to reverse direction and exit the pass. Despite the maneuver, the airplane continued to descend.
Sequence of Events
As the descent continued, the pilot applied full flaps prior to impact. The airplane struck a glacier while traveling downhill. Upon impact, the wheel or ski components separated from the landing gear, and the airplane nosed over at about the 6,500-foot level.
Post-Impact Conditions
While waiting to be rescued, the pilot reported that wind gusts came from all directions and caused pieces of the wreckage to blow uphill.