What happened
During a period of maneuvering, an aircraft encountered a powerful downdraft that led to a collision with hilly terrain. Prior to the descent and subsequent impact with the ground, the aircraft was positioned at an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level. The pilot had been engaged in spotting caribou when the aircraft settled into the side of a hill.
All five occupants sustained injuries during the accident, and the aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several contributing factors regarding the flight conditions and pilot actions:
- The presence of a downdraft significantly impacted the aircraft's stability.
- The terrain involved in the collision was characterized as mountainous or hilly.
- The pilot maintained an inadequate altitude during the maneuver.
- The primary cause of the occurrence was a loss of control while in flight.