Accident Details
A flight from Juneau to Pelican, Alaska, ended in a collision with terrain approximately 12 miles east of Pelican. The aircraft struck a vertical rock wall on Chichagof Island at an elevation of about 1,950 feet. Investigators found no evidence of preimpact part failure or malfunction.
Weather Conditions
Another pilot, who had intended to fly the same route about 1 hour and 45 minutes earlier, decided to fly around the island due to low clouds, rain, and fog. He reported that he flew over icy straits rather than taking a more direct route, noting that ceilings were about 2,000 feet broken with lower stratus in the valleys. A helicopter pilot stated that he was unable to work in mountain passes in the vicinity of the accident due to low clouds, rain, and fog, describing the passes as "socked in."
Occupants
Both occupants of the aircraft were killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be the pilot's improper in-flight decision and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The terrain and weather conditions were considered contributing factors.