20260617008649A

PIC narrative:

"While climbing on the tokositna glacier toward rising terrain, I observed a decreasing indicated airspeed. A light downslope wind from the northwest was present, estimated 5–10 knots. Flat light conditions were also present with the sun below the mountains ahead. To avoid rising terrain I initiated a gradual left turn. During the turn, the airplane continued to sink toward the surface. Approximately 90 degrees into the left turn the airplane felt as if it would settle onto the snow surface.

I extended the first notch of flaps, then second notch approximately five seconds later. At about 150 feet from the impact point, the left main tire contacted and dragged along the snow. At approximately 35 feet from impact the right main tire contacted and initially dragged, then dug into the snow. The right wing then struck the snow, which caused the airplane to pitch forward onto the nose. The airplane came to rest on the nose and left wing."

Pilot stated, "could have been prevented by increasing altitude before flying into rising terrain".

FAA iic findings:

PIC turned into a "bowl" valley on the side of the tokositna glacier, not taking into account his altitude, the flat light in low-light conditions, and the down glacier wind flow. PIC did realize his error and initiated a turn around maintaining flying speed but descended through the turn and impacted terrain in the bowl.

PIC was provided non-regulatory counseling on the following topics:

Obtaining as much information as possible about an area before flying into the area and "committing" to that flight into rising terrain. Understand and be thoughtful about wind direction, flat light conditions, and degraded performance at higher altitudes. PIC was very receptive and asked numerous questions and exhibited a compliant demeanor throughout the process and was very cooperative with all requests.