What happened
A flight operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) was traveling from Kenai toward Beluga Airport when the accident occurred. Because the destination airport lacked an instrument approach procedure, navigational aids, or established fixes, pilots frequently utilized a method of flying 34.5 miles outbound from Kenally to visually acquire the airfield. During this specific operation, air traffic control cleared the pilot to proceed directly to the airport while maintaining an altitude of 2,000 feet.
After acknowledging the clearance and the instruction to report when canceling IFR, the aircraft ceased all radio communication with ARTCC. Radar monitoring via Mode C indicated that the aircraft descended to 600 feet while approximately 5 miles south of Beluga Airport. The aircraft subsequently bypassed the uncontrolled airfield and struck trees roughly 8 miles northwest of the destination. Analysis of impact marks on the vegetation indicated the aircraft was executing a right descending turn on an easterly heading at the time of the crash. The crash site was situated at an elevation of 560 feet, notably below the minimum safe IFR altitude of 2,000 feet for that area.
Findings
Investigation into the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical failures that could have caused the descent. It was noted that weather conditions at the destination were likely below visual flight rules (VFR) minimums. The pilot was the sole occupant on board and was killed in the accident.
- Failure to maintain proper altitude was identified as the primary factor.
- Low visibility and darkness contributed to the circumstances of the crash.