Speculation of course.

My guess is a wicked downdraft coming over the top of that ridge.

Either that or they were bicycling - going where they were looking, and not looking where they wanted to go.

My oldest brother retired ANG as Major had a story about that when he was flying GIB one day. His pilot was focused on a lone tree on a ridge top, and if Weldon hadn't yelled "pull-up!" they would have nailed it..

A friend was on a flight from Barrow to Anuktuvic years ago in a fixed wing. He said they left wheel tracks on a ridge or peak, with a pretty good jar. The pilots were flying the altimeter, and either it or the published ground height was a bit amiss.... That was their story, anyway.

That "pop over the top" hot-dogging stuff is dangerous

There was serious money aboard...

Only 17 and a half billion worth. Sucks it happens but it does

That Czech guy made more money than Teuber.

Aircraft appears to be pretty much intact so they probably didn't 'fly into' the mountain - if I had to guess they were probably hovering near the summit and had a blade strike, causing loss of control and subsequent roll down the mountain.

⬆️ You know your stuff.

Had a friend and an acquaintance aboard.

[bleep] deal.

Sorry for your loss wolverine.

Thank you.

They should be able to get info from the survivor about what happened. I imagine one of the guides was your acquaintance AkWolverine? Sad deal for sure.

FYI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MVeWz-7Jlo

Daughter and son in law also had a good friend on board.

Does anyone know the pilot.......???

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2...-and-family-remember-pilot-zach-russell/