What happened
Before commencing an air taxi mission involving several remote villages, the pilot obtained a weather briefing and submitted a VFR flight plan. The forecast for the region indicated an AIRMET for IFR conditions and mountain obscuration due to light snow and clouds. Specifically, terminal forecasts predicted visibilities between 3/4 and 3 miles in blowing snow, with vertical visibility of only 500 feet and winds between 14 and 22 knots. Despite a flight service station specialist advising against VFR flight, the pilot proceeded with the departure.
On the return leg of the flight, originating from an airport 128 miles east of the home base, the pilot initially reported visibility exceeding 6 miles. However, as the aircraft approached the destination, visibility declined, prompting other pilots to request special VFR clearances. The pilot requested a special VFR clearance at 1441 but was required to hold outside the surface area due to existing VFR and IFR traffic. By 1453, local weather reports indicated winds of 26 knots from 080 degrees and visibility reduced to 1 mile in blowing snow. While holding approximately 7 miles north of the airport, the pilot reported worsening conditions to the east.
After receiving clearance to enter the surface area at 1458, the pilot received an airport advisory noting winds of 25 knots with gusts up to 33 knots. During the approach maneuver, a weather observation at 1501 recorded visibility of 3/4 mile in blowing snow. The pilot descended to 1,000 feet at a GPS waypoint 4 miles from the runway, eventually descending to 300 feet. At a distance of 1 mile from the airport, the pilot reported being in a whiteout condition and unable to see the runway. At 1504, the aircraft struck snow-covered sea ice approximately 1 mile from the runway threshold.
Findings
- The pilot operated under VFR flight plan parameters despite receiving warnings of IFR conditions and mountain obscuration.
- The flight encountered significantly reduced visibility and high winds during the final approach.
- The pilot experienced a whiteout condition during the descent phase.