Date & Time:
Feb 1, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Kenai Air Services
Registration:
N54734
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kenai - Gulkana
MSN:
31-7405256
YOM:
1974
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
1
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
5
Circumstances:
En route from Kenai to Gulkana, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane crashed on a snow covered mountain located in the region of Valdez. SAR operations were quickly suspended due to risk of avalanches. Few days later, it was confirmed that both occupants did not survive the accident.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged altitude, causing the aircraft to stuck the ground. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- High obstructions,
- Flew into rising terrain.
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- High obstructions,
- Flew into rising terrain.
Final Report:
N54734.pdf80.3 KB
