Aircraft impact on glacier during hunting trip

Casualties unknown • Petersburg, AK, US

An aircraft crashed into terrain in a mountain pass while transporting two individuals to a nearby hunting site.

What happened

The pilot was flying from the southeast toward the northwest, transporting himself and a hunting partner along with their gear to a nearby hunting location. After the aircraft was reported overdue, search efforts were initiated.

The wreckage was located in a pass on a glacier at an elevation of 3,450 feet. The airplane impacted the terrain in a near vertical attitude. At the time of the accident, weather conditions reported by Coast Guard Search and Rescue personnel included a ceiling of 4,000 feet with fog moving down from the glacier. The wreckage was found aligned along a 315 degree magnetic heading.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-09-14 Cessna 185 accident near Petersburg, AK?

An aircraft crashed into terrain in a mountain pass while transporting two individuals to a nearby hunting site.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-09-14 involved a Cessna 185, registration N90033, at Petersburg, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed above the airplane's stall speed. The high terrain and low ceiling (clouds) were related factors.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04397. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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