Incident Overview
During a nighttime cargo flight from Jamestown to Bismarck, the pilot—a full-time student—fell asleep while at the controls. The twin-engine airplane, operating under autopilot, continued on its course before impacting a mountain in the Bismarck region.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a twin-engine airplane. The pilot, who was a full-time student, was the sole occupant. The flight was conducted as a cargo operation.
Sequence of Events
While cruising at night, the pilot fell asleep. The autopilot remained engaged, but the altitude hold function was not activated. The aircraft continued flying for a period before striking a mountain near Bismarck. The collision destroyed the aircraft.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from the pilot's physical impairment due to fatigue, which caused him to fall asleep during the flight. Contributing factors noted in the report include the autopilot being engaged and the altitude hold being disengaged.