Accident Summary
A commercial certificated pilot was maneuvering a ski-equipped airplane over a remote, snow-covered area on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was accompanied by a second airplane throughout most of the day, making multiple landings to check trap lines. The accident pilot announced his intention to land and reset a trap, after which the second airplane continued to a remote cabin where the two aircraft were to meet. When the accident airplane did not arrive, the second airplane searched for and located the burning wreckage. Search and rescue personnel responded and transported the pilot to a hospital.
Investigation Details
The accident pilot reported that he remembered circling over his intended landing area but did not recall the crash. Photographs of the wreckage revealed that the airplane collided with the snow in a near-level attitude with little forward movement. The airplane sustained upward crushing of the wings and fuselage. The right wing was displaced forward of its normal position and exhibited aft leading edge crushing of the outboard half of the wing. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the flight controls or the engine.
Pilot Statement
In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he described the history of the flight and noted, "Presumably - Unintended stalled condition at relatively low altitude led to high impact crash."