NTSB Factual Report

The pilot of a scheduled commuter flight reported that he was about 4 miles north of the destination airport, operating in VFR weather conditions. According to the operator, as the flight approached the airport, the visibility was reduced due to fog. The pilot then initiated a gradual descent over an area of featureless, snow-covered terrain, which made it difficult to discern any topographical terrain features due to flat light conditions. In the operator’s written statement to the NTSB, it was reported that the pilot could see his destination airport in the distance, but during the descent he became “uncomfortable” with the approach, and he initiated a go-around. The airplane subsequently collided with a snow-covered frozen river, about 1 mile from the approach end of the airport, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. In a written statement provided by one of the passengers aboard the accident airplane, she wrote, in part: “…I looked out the window to my right to see if I could see the airport and did not, it was too foggy.”

The operator reported that the accident flight was the pilot’s second attempt to reach the destination airport that day. During the previous flight that morning poor weather conditions prevailed, so the pilot returned to his departure airport to wait for weather conditions to improve.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around.