What happened
During a cargo transport mission originating in Barrow and destined for Fairbanks, a twin engine airplane encountered difficult weather conditions while cruising. The aircraft entered a hilly and heavily forested area situated near a pipeline in the vicinity of Livengood. During this phase of flight, the plane made contact with trees, leading to a crash in the rugged terrain.
At the time of the accident, the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft. The impact resulted in one fatality.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was the pilot's decision to maintain Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight despite encountering deteriorating weather. The investigation identified several environmental factors that contributed to the collision with the trees, including:
- Reduced visibility due to a low cloud ceiling
- Precipitation in the form of rain