What happened
During a flight through a mountainous region, the pilot received notification from another aviator that the higher-altitude passes were currently closed to traffic. In an attempt to continue the route, the pilot opted to navigate through a lower-altitude pass situated near the old harbor. At the time of the incident, weather conditions were characterized by overcast skies and obscured ceilings, with flight visibility estimated between 2 and 3 miles.
The terrain within the pass was covered in snow. As the aircraft entered the mountain corridor, the pilot encountered whiteout conditions, which resulted in a total loss of visual references. In an effort to maneuver out of the pass, the pilot began a left-hand turn. During the execution of this turn, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with the mountainside.
Findings
- The pilot encountered whiteout conditions that prevented the maintenance of visual ground references.
- The presence of snow-covered terrain contributed to the difficulty of navigating the pass.
- The decision to attempt the pass after being notified of higher-altitude closures placed the aircraft in a high-risk environment.