Incident Details
During arrival, the pilot of Ryan Air flight 2401, a Cessna 402 (N12333), contacted the Nome Flight Service Station (FSS) and reported being 15 miles west of Nome. The pilot was advised that the weather at Nome was below basic VFR minimums. He subsequently requested a special VFR clearance. The FSS instructed him to remain in VFR conditions outside the control zone and to stand by for the clearance. Later, when FSS personnel attempted to contact flight 2401 to issue the clearance, there was no reply from the pilot.
Search and Wreckage
A search was initiated for the aircraft. Four days later, the aircraft was found where it had crashed at an elevation of about 450 feet msl on the east edge of Sledge Island, approximately 18 miles west of Nome. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft had crashed into rising terrain while in level flight on a heading of about 250 degrees. No preimpact mechanical problem was evident.
Weather Conditions
The weather observation at Nome at 1300 ADT reported: 400 feet overcast, visibility 2 miles with rain and fog, wind from 120 degrees at 12 knots.
Probable Cause
Continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) by the pilot, and his improper in-flight planning/decision. The weather and terrain conditions were considered to be contributing factors.