What happened
During an approach to the Savoonga airstrip, the pilot was navigating through challenging meteorological conditions. While attempting to descend into the area, the aircraft type struck the ground several miles away from the intended runway. The incident took place amidst a whiteout and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), characterized by a ceiling of only 500 feet.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the plane. There were three injuries reported among the occupants, but no fatalities occurred during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that the primary cause was controlled flight into terrain while the pilot was attempting to circle within the traffic pattern. The crew continued to operate under visual flight rules (VFR) despite the weather deteriorating below safe minimums. Several environmental and mechanical factors contributed to the event:
- Severe icing conditions, including the presence of freezing rain and sleet
- Accumulation of ice on the airframe and the propeller
- Extremely low visibility caused by whiteout conditions
- Reduced ceiling heights that prevented safe visual navigation