On May 4, 2007, a Bellanca 8KCAB (registration N5038K) was involved in an aviation accident near Girdwood, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a glacier. Factors contributing to the accident were snow-covered terrain, and flat light conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flew a low pass over skiers on a remote glacier. During a second pass at about 80 feet AGL, the airplane collided with the glacier surface and overturned. Skiers provided aid and called rescue. The pilot reported a change in lighting conditions.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was flying over a group of hikers and skiers located on a remote glacier. After making a first pass over the group, the pilot performed a second pass at an altitude of approximately 80 feet above ground level. As the airplane moved away from the group, it collided with the ice and snow-covered surface of the glacier and subsequently overturned. The skiers provided aid to the pilot and contacted rescue personnel.
Weather Conditions
A witness reported that the weather on the glacier at the time consisted of an overcast sky with a ceiling of about 600 feet. Additionally, flat light conditions and haze were present.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that during the initial pass over the skiers, he had a visual horizon and could see the sky. He estimated his altitude at approximately 200 feet above the ground. On the second pass, the lighting conditions changed from bright to hazy. The pilot indicated that he was probably looking at the snow-covered surface of the glacier. He noted that the airplane was descending, and he perceived that the glacier was also descending.