August 5, 2005, Denali Park, Alaska / Beech V35B Bonanza

At about 1250 Alaska time, the airplane was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire when it collided with rising terrain while climbing. The Private pilot and sole passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident airplane was part of a group of 10 airplanes flying from Washington and California on an aerial tour of Alaska. The pilot of the airplane behind the accident airplane indicated he saw the pilot enter a broad pass, and then start to climb as it neared a saddle at the end of the pass. The following pilot noted that he started his climb prior to the accident pilot. Shortly after the accident pilot initiated his climb, the following pilot reported he saw a plume...

Key Takeaways:

• An airplane on an aerial tour in Alaska collided with rising terrain and was destroyed by impact and post-crash fire, fatally injuring the private pilot and sole passenger.
• The accident occurred in visual conditions as the aircraft was climbing near a saddle at the end of a broad pass.
• Another pilot flying behind the accident aircraft noted he initiated his climb earlier than the accident pilot, who began climbing late before the crash.

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