Accident Details
A single-engine airplane departed Anchorage on an on-demand charter flight over Denali National Park, carrying one pilot and four tourists. While flying between 8,000 and 13,000 feet near the circular end of a box canyon, the pilot flew into a blind canyon. The airplane struck peaks obscured by clouds and crashed. The wreckage was found a few hours later; all five occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be a controlled collision with ground due to improper in-flight decisions on the part of the pilot. Contributing factors reported include: the pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude, or clearance; flew into a blind canyon; high density altitude; and peaks obscured by clouds.