Accident Overview
A certificated private pilot and a passenger were flying northbound through a remote mountain pass. The terrain rose rapidly ahead of them. They were following a roadway that paralleled the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline.
Pre-Flight Warnings
Before departure, a state trooper and a local resident advised the pilot that flight through the pass was not recommended. They suggested an alternative route over the mountain range.
Wreckage Discovery
There were no witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was observed burning adjacent to the roadway at an elevation of about 4,500 feet mean sea level.
Weather Conditions
Weather at the pass was reported as about 1,000 feet overcast, with wind from the north at 15 to 20 knots. Isolated rain and snow showers were moving through the area.