What happened
A scheduled passenger and cargo flight departed from a rural airfield situated on the north side of the Yukon River. The aircraft, a twin-engine airplane, was operated by a single pilot. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft maintained a low altitude of approximately 200 feet while traversing the river.
Approximately five minutes into the flight, the pilot contacted a weather observation station via the common traffic advisory frequency to report an unspecified mechanical issue and indicated that a ditching might be necessary. During this communication, the pilot noted that the aircraft was striking trees and expressed an intention to return to the runway.
During the attempt to return to the airfield, the aircraft struck several trees on a gravel bar within the Yukon River. The impact caused the separation of the outboard section of the left wing. Following the collision with the trees, the aircraft entered the water and sank roughly 1.5 miles south of the departure airport.
Recovery operations were complicated by heavy silt and a rapid river current. Rescuers successfully retrieved the fuselage, the left engine, and the left wing from the riverbed. However, the right engine and the right wing remained missing. The propeller on the left engine was found in a feathered position.
Findings
An investigation of the recovered components, including the left engine, revealed no signs of mechanical failure or power loss prior to the crash. Furthermore, a physical inspection of the airframe showed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions occurring before the impact. The primary factor in the accident was the aircraft striking trees while attempting to return to the runway.