On August 29, 1999, a Cessna 170B (registration N3402D) was involved in an aviation accident near Cooper Landing, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot on a cross-country floatplane flight over glaciers failed to arrive and was reported overdue. Wreckage was found two days later at 3,100 ft msl in mountainous terrain, mostly consumed by fire except for tail, wing portion, and floats. No mechanical malfunction was found.
Accident Overview
A private certificated pilot departed on a cross-country flight from a lake in a float-equipped airplane. The pilot intended to fly over glaciers in the area and return to a private lake. The airplane did not arrive at its destination and was reported overdue.
Wreckage Discovery
Search personnel located the wreckage two days later at an elevation of 3,100 feet msl in mountainous terrain. The airplane was resting in a near vertical attitude. Except for the empennage, a portion of one wing, and the floats, the airplane was consumed by fire.
Conditions and Examination
Visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunction. No further details about the pilot or the aircraft were available in the investigation source.