Accident Details
The aircraft was on a flight at night from Nome to Koyuk, Alaska, when it crashed into a mountain at the 2,725-foot level. The accident site was directly on a course line between the Nome and Koyuk Airports. The pilot did not file a VFR or an IFR flight plan with the FAA.
Flight Planning and Weather
At the time of departure from Nome, the ceiling was 3,500 feet overcast. According to rescue personnel, weather at the accident area was described as having an indefinable ceiling and poor visibility with heavy snow and blowing snow.
Equipment and Investigation
The pilot had a handheld GPS on board that he had borrowed from another pilot. However, the database could not be retrieved from the GPS. According to the owner of the GPS, he and the accident pilot programmed different waypoints.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were darkness and the adverse weather conditions.