What happened
During an approach to Chevak, the aircraft was operating within a traffic pattern-circling maneuver when it struck the ground. The flight was experiencing significant environmental challenges, specifically heavy snowfall that resulted in limited visibility and whiteout conditions. This impact led to a total of two fatalities and left five other individuals on board with serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical factors contributing to the crash. The primary cause was determined to be controlled flight into terrain, occurring because the pilot attempted to maintain visual flight rules despite the presence of adverse weather. Additionally, the crew experienced spatial disorientation due to the lack of visibility caused by the whiteout conditions.