What happened
Shortly after departing from the Anaktuvuk Pass Airstrip, a single-engine aircraft crashed while operating in difficult weather. The flight was being conducted on behalf of Wien Air Alaska. During the cruise phase of the flight, the airplane impacted the ground, leading to the total destruction of the airframe. There were five fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident was a result of controlled flight into terrain while the aircraft was in its normal cruise phase. Several environmental factors contributed to the loss of control, including heavy snow and whiteout conditions that significantly obscured visibility.
Specific meteorological findings included:
- Low cloud ceilings and overcast skies
- Visibility reduced to one-half mile or less
- Blowing snow and deteriorating weather conditions
- Atmospheric conditions that were below established minimums
- Weather conditions that were slightly more severe than what had been previously forecasted