Two people are dead after an amateur-built airplane crashed near Elim, according to federal aviation officials.

The two individuals, who were not immediately identified, were discovered with the wreckage of the RV-7, officials said.

The aircraft, based in Brookings, Ore., departed Galena at about 4 p.m. Tuesday on its way to Nome but never showed up when it should have a few hours later, according to federal aviation officials.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/aviation ... 26731.html

METAR PAGL 100016Z AUTO 18007KT 3SM OVC003 05/04 A3008 RMK AO1 PNO
METAR PAGL 100036Z AUTO 25003KT 8SM OVC003 05/04 A3008 RMK AO1 PNO
METAR PAGL 100056Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM OVC003 05/04 A3009 RMK AO1 PNO
METAR PAGL 100116Z AUTO 27003KT 10SM OVC005 05/04 A3009 RMK AO1 PNO
METAR PAGL 100136Z AUTO 18008KT 9SM OVC006 05/04 A3009 RMK AO1 PNO

The hills are between 300 and 700 MSL in that area. Sigh.

Don't mess with the weather folks.

RB

Wish the best for those involved/left behind.

Good advice as we are all planning our fly-ins/camping trips that we have already taken time off for. It is not worth becoming a statistic.

A reminder to stay very flexible on our arrival and departure plans as we venture out on our fly-camping trips, etc.,

Several years ago, I met three gents who were camping at the Fairbanks International Airport Air Camper Park....one 150 and a 172. These guys were sitting in very marginal weather, and I stopped to talk to them. They were in no rush, even though they were sleeping in tents in the rain. They only wanted to know what else to do in town. Meanwhile, a fellow dropped by who also was camping there. He went on forever about how he'd come up the coast route in ceilings of 200 to 500 feet, and considerable restricted visibility. Nobody was impressed, not the least the guys sitting it out.

Next day, I stopped by to visit again, and the three amigos were still there, but the hero was gone. I chatted with the three, who turned out to be all high time airline pilots. I asked about super pilot. They noted that he'd left earlier that day in low ceilings, headed down the highway for the lower 48. One of these fellows mentioned that we'd read about him one day. Next day was bluebird weather, and the three were enroute, only a day behind our hero.

It has been said many times that weather related accidents are generally investigated the next day in clear blue skies.

MTV

I was flying the CAP airplane when we located the wreckage. Sad we didn't see two guys waving us down. Here is my hypothesis-thier aircraft was in a direct line with the runway at Elim if they were looking to land to the Northeast. Rumor had it that the ceiling was 2-5 hundred feet. I did not land there but assume that most pilots land to the Northeast coming in over the ocean. The aircraft appeared to skip if you will across the top of a hill about 450--500 feet tall. As the skip or attempted landing progressed the aircraft's nose pointed north and the right wing/main wheel dug in causing the aircraft to cartwheel once. The right wing was damaged extensively. I have a picture but can't load it so if you would like to see please request an e-mail.