Accident Overview
The takeoff area was situated on a mountain glacier at an elevation of 5,700 feet mean sea level. The runway-like surface was approximately 2,500 feet long and sloped downhill. The snow conditions were described as wet and dense.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that the engine was producing full power during the downslope takeoff. When the pilot began to lift off, the engine momentarily lost power and surged about three times, fluctuating from full power to almost no power. The pilot activated the fuel boost pump, but full power was not restored. Subsequently, the airplane settled onto snow-covered terrain and then collided with the edge of a crevasse.
According to a national park ranger, the ski tracks left by the accident airplane extended approximately 4,000 feet along the snow surface before leaving the surface at the edge of a crevasse. About 50 yards beyond that crevasse, additional ski tracks were observed skipping on the snow surface until the point of rest at the accident crevasse.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector conducted an examination of the accident airplane's engine and fuel system. The inspector reported that the engine ran normally with no observed discrepancies.