What happened
On April 15, 2019, a Cessna A185F operated by the National Park Service Alaska Region crashed near Nome, Alaska. The flight was a planned mission from Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (PAOT) to Nome Airport (PAOM) to retrieve two employees.
While en route, the pilot diverted from the planned flight path to survey the Serpentine Hot Springs area. Although the pilot was familiar with the terrain, weather conditions were deteriorating. While checking the GPS unit, the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot reported experiencing spatial disorientation and attempted a 180-degree right turn to return to visual conditions. During this maneuver, the aircraft impacted a snow-covered mountain slope.
The pilot sustained 1 serious injury and was eventually rescued later that day. The aircraft, N5163E, sustained substantial damage, including the separation of the left wing from the fuselage.
The investigation
Analysis of GPS data from a Garmin GPSMAP 296 unit showed that shortly before the impact, the aircraft was flying approximately 660 feet above ground level. The flight path showed the aircraft climbing and descending through various altitudes before turning right and descending at a rate of approximately 520 feet per minute into rising terrain. The impact occurred at an elevation of approximately 1,552 feet MSL.
Investigators found that the wreckage was distributed along a 120-foot debris path, consistent with a high-speed impact in forward flight. The investigation also noted that while the pilot was certified for VFR-only flights, the pilot had received some simulated instrument training for recovering from unintentional IMC.