What happened
The accident occurred on a mountain glacier situated at 5,700 feet mean sea level. The takeoff area consisted of wet and dense snow, spanning approximately 2,500 feet with a downhill slope.
During the downslope takeoff, the pilot reported that the engine was initially producing full power. However, as the pilot attempted to lift off, the engine experienced three momentary power surges, fluctuating from full power to nearly zero power. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot activated the fuel boost pump, but the engine failed to return to full power.
As a result of the loss of power, the aircraft settled onto the snow-covered terrain. The tracks left by the aircraft extended approximately 4,000 feet along the snow surface before the plane left the surface at the edge of a crevasse. A national park ranger observed that about 50 yards beyond the crevasse, additional ski tracks were seen skipping on the snow until the aircraft reached its final position at the accident crevasse.
The investigation
An FAA inspector performed an examination of the aircraft's engine and fuel system. The inspection revealed that the engine ran normally and no mechanical discrepancies were observed in the fuel system or engine components.