Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the wing’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during approach to land on a snow-covered glacier, the airplane was “lower and slower” than his previous approaches to the glacier. He executed a go-around, the wind “shifted”, and the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.