Incident Overview
While on approach to South Naknek, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions including low ceiling, fog, and icing. On final approach, the airplane struck the ground and crashed a few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.
Circumstances
The flight was conducted in adverse weather with reported low ceiling, fog, icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain, and visibility two miles or less. The pilot initiated the flight despite weather conditions that were below minimums. During the approach, the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and delayed initiating a go-around. Ice accumulation on the windshield further hampered visibility.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official probable cause of the accident was a collision with a dirt bank on approach after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors reported include: ice on the windshield, the pilot suffering spatial disorientation, delay in initiating a go-around, low ceiling, fog, icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain, downwind conditions, visibility two miles or less, and weather conditions below minimums.