Fairbanks

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Unalakleet

MSN:

207-0193

YOM:

1970

Location:

Ruby

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1600

Captain / Total hours on type:

815.00

Circumstances:

En route from Fairbanks to Unalakleet, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engine and elected to make a forced landing when the airplane crashed into a swamp near Ruby. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra in Deadhorse

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1975 at 2015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-188 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

N283F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Deadhorse

MSN:

1089

YOM:

1959

Location:

Deadhorse

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6438

Captain / Total hours on type:

1563.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Deadhorse Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the runway surface 1,000 feet past its threshold. After initial impact, the left wing was torn off and the airplane went out of control. On a snow and ice covered runway, the airplane veered off runway to the left before coming to rest in flames few hundred yards further. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Improper level off on part of the copilot who was in command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to initiate go-around,
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Blowing snow,
- Landed hard 1,000 feet down runway,
- Left wing separated from aircraft,
- Runway covered by snow and ice.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Fairbanks: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1975 at 1902 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

N77DG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Happy Valley

MSN:

43520

YOM:

1952

Location:

Fairbanks

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

24535

Captain / Total hours on type:

16000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from runway 10 at fairbanks Airport, while in initial climb, three engines failed simultaneously. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return when the airplane stalled, collided with trees and crashed 1,5 mile short of runway 19. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Partial loss of power on three engines after takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the flight engineer,
- Improperly serviced aircraft on part of the ground personnel,
- Fuel contamination - exclusive of water in fuel,
- Deficiency in company maintained equipment, services and regulation,
- High obstructions,
- Fuel contamination due 100/130 & kerosene mix found in aircraft, refuel truck and underground storage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-14C Hercules in Old Man’s Camp: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1974 at 2336 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Alaska International Air

Registration:

N102AK

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Bettles - Dietrich Camp

MSN:

4234

YOM:

1967

Location:

Old Man's Camp

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9000

Captain / Total hours on type:

6200.00

Circumstances:

While flying to Bettles Airport by night and moderate turbulences, the airplane went out of control and crashed in an isolated area located in Old Man's Camp, about 31 miles southeast of Bettles Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four crew members were killed. They were completing a cargo flight from Fairbanks to Dietrich Camp with an intermediate stop in Bettles, carrying a load of 6,800 gallons of fuel.

Probable cause:

In-flight airframe failure following inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure,
- Separation in flight,
- Fatigue-fastener holes in lower hat section,
- Skin panels, n°3 engine compressor diffuser case,
- Right wing separated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Lupine: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1974 at 2140 LT

Type of aircraft:

Volpar Turboliner 18

Operator:

Winship Air Services

Registration:

N357V

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Lupine

MSN:

AF-680

YOM:

1954

Location:

Lupine

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11197

Captain / Total hours on type:

191.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Lupine Airstrip, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and snow falls. On final, he decided to make a low pass and reduced his altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling, fog and snow falls,
- Icing conditions,
- Weather was given via radio by oil company radio operator,
- Over max takeoff and landing weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA near Deadhorse: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1973 at 1045 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Winship Air Services

Registration:

N1214S

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Deadhorse - Prudhoe Bay

MSN:

T26-31

YOM:

1968

Location:

Deadhorse

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8216

Captain / Total hours on type:

1134.00

Circumstances:

While descending in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost his orientation and descended too low without any ground reference when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 28 NM south of the airport. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during initial approach following improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Low ceiling,
- Began approach before Sta passage,
- Descent below clearance limit,
- Exceeded 10 NM arc outbound,
- Impacted terrain 28 NM south of airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Bettles: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1971 at 1015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-10 Reliant

Operator:

Frank E. Birch

Registration:

N5709N

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks – Bettles

MSN:

77-33

Location:

Bettles

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1200

Captain / Total hours on type:

440.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Bettles Airport, the pilot initiated a steep left turn from low pass at strip located between close-in mountains when the aircraft lost height and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Poor judgment on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. Observers reported wind strong, gusty.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Prudhoe Bay

Date & Time: May 21, 1970 at 0040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Club Aire

Registration:

N75430

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pingo – Fairbanks

MSN:

4490

YOM:

1942

Location:

Prudhoe Bay

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8430

Captain / Total hours on type:

220.00

Circumstances:

En route to Fairbanks, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered engine problems and was unable to maintain de prescribed altitude. He decided to perform an emergency landing in a snow covered ground when the airplane crash landed, slid for dozen yards and came to rest, broken in two. All three occupants were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Oil exhaustion, engine lubrication system,
- Improper/inadequate venting,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Initiated flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor icing,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Idled engines too long prior to takeoff, condensation froze,
- Plugged lower breather pipe, oil went out top pipe.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Barrow

Date & Time: May 5, 1970 at 0340 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

North Slope Supply Company

Registration:

N174W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Barrow

MSN:

4636

YOM:

1956

Location:

Barrow

Country:

Region: