Accident Overview
On an IFR flight from Kenai to Beluga Airport, the pilot was cleared by ARTCC to fly direct to the airport at 2,000 feet. The aircraft did not reach the airport; instead, it crashed into trees northwest of the field. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft was on an IFR flight plan from Kenai. Beluga Airport lacks an instrument approach procedure, a co-located navaid, or a co-located intersection or fix. According to reports, pilots commonly filed IFR for this route, flying 34.5 miles outbound from Kenai before attempting to acquire visual contact with the airport. On this flight, ARTCC cleared the pilot to proceed direct to the airport at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged a clearance to cruise at 2,000 feet and was instructed to report cancellation of IFR. No further communication was received from the flight.
Mode C radar data revealed that the aircraft descended to 600 feet as it approached approximately 5 miles south of Beluga Airport. The aircraft then overshot the uncontrolled airport and struck trees about 8 miles northwest of it. Tree marks indicated the aircraft was in a right descending turn on an easterly heading at the time of the crash. The elevation of the crash site was 560 feet.
The minimum safe IFR altitude for the Beluga Airport area was 2,000 feet. There were indications that the weather at the destination was below VFR minimums.
Investigation Findings
No preimpact mechanical problems were found that would have caused the accident. The aircraft was operating under IFR at the time.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude. Darkness and adverse weather conditions were related factors.