What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation, an aircraft type (not specified) registered as N9979M struck the southern slope of Bismark Mountain. The impact occurred at an altitude of roughly 2,100 feet MSL while the aircraft was in level flight. The wreckage was located the following morning, approximately 15 miles away from the planned flight path.
The pilot was discovered at the crash site suffering from hypothermia and various injuries. Although transported to a medical facility, the pilot succumbed to his injuries later that day, resulting in one fatality. Subsequent reports from another aviator flying the area hours after the event noted severe weather conditions, including moderate snowfall, ice crystals, and white-out conditions that limited visibility to less than half a mile.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical failures regarding pilot experience and operational oversight. The pilot in command had significantly less verified flight time than previously indicated; while he claimed 1,536 hours, only 446 hours could be authenticated. This fell short of the 500-hour minimum requirement for acting as pilot in command for Bering Air.
Contributing factors included inadequate preflight planning and a failure to follow established procedures. The investigation concluded that the crew encountered hazardous weather, including snow, ice fog, and obscuration, which led to the aircraft being operated in VFR conditions into IMC. Additionally, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the local geography and insufficient experience in the area contributed to the loss of situational awareness and the subsequent collision with rising terrain.