Accident Sequence
The pilot of a ski-equipped airplane was landing on a glacier when the left ski caught in the snow, causing the airplane to nose over. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. The left wing and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
Emergency Locator Transmitter
The airplane was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter (ELT), but it was an older generation model transmitting on 121.5 megahertz. As of February 1, 2009, search and rescue satellites no longer had the capability to receive signals from older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The newer digital ELTs, which transmit on 406 megahertz, are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location.
Aftermath
The pilot was missing for four days following the accident. He was able to hike off the glacier, where he was eventually located by rescuers.