What happened
During a joint training operation known as 'Sweetbriar' alongside the USAF, an aircraft was engaged in dropping paratroopers over a remote, snow-laden region. Shortly after departing from a distant, snow-covered landing strip situated approximately 8 miles east of Snag, the Dakota experienced a stall. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and came to rest in a forested area located roughly 20 miles from the Alaskan border. Despite the impact, all six crew members escaped without injury, though the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that the pilot had received very little training regarding the operation of the Dakota on skis, having previously practiced on hard-packed snow near Edmonton. At the time of the accident, the runway consisted of 14 inches of snow layered over slush. The pilot noted that the skis appeared to sink into the surface when attempting to lift the tail during the takeoff roll. Consequently, the aircraft was operated in a three-point attitude, which caused an excessive nose pitch-up immediately after liftoff, leading to the aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with the trees.