What happened
During a scheduled commuter flight, a pilot and five passengers were departing from runway 18 when the aircraft experienced a significant power loss. The pilot reported that the departure had been delayed by two hours because of low visibility and the presence of ice fog. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, the engine underwent a surge, which was immediately followed by a reduction in power.
Unable to maintain flight, the aircraft type collided with snow-covered ground during an emergency landing attempt away from the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wings, the fuselage, and the propeller. There were zero fatalities reported in the incident.
Findings
An inspection conducted by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no mechanical defects or anomalies within the engine or the airframe. During the investigation, the engine was successfully started and operated at idle while still attached to the plane, and it later demonstrated the ability to reach full power when tested on a stand. However, an examination by an experienced Alaska State Trooper noted that frost had accumulated on the elevators, the horizontal stabilizer, and the wings of the aircraft.