Details of the Flight
Two airplanes departed Seward within minutes of each other for local flightseeing trips. Their intended flight routes were identical. After arriving at Aialak Bay, the accident airplane passed the other aircraft and commenced the return leg to Seward. The pass that would normally be used for the return was obscured by cloud cover. The only portion of land affected by weather was the peninsula that separates Aialak Bay and Seward. The cloud bases were reported at 1,200 feet above mean sea level.
Accident Location and Wreckage
The accident airplane was found on the northeast side of a mountain at an elevation of 2,700 feet. The wreckage was distributed along a 330-degree path.
Pilot Information
The pilot had been employed less than two months before the accident. His initial duties included ground handling and fueling, and he also underwent pilot training. Two days prior to the accident, he was authorized to fly Part 135 flightseeing trips.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was the pilot-in-command's attempt to operate under visual flight rules while encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Additional contributing factors included the low ceiling and the mountainous terrain surrounding the area.