Zone
Alaska

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Bettles

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1981 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N8682
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bettles - Fort Yukon
MSN:
10859
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Tanker 138
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Bettles to Fort Yukon on a fire fighting mission, the airplane was climbing when the right engine caught fire and exploded. The captain ordered the four passengers (firefighters) and the copilot to evacuate the cabin and the captain, sole on board, attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar located near the Kayokuk River. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Loose gravel,
- Sandy terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Unknown intern fire in right engine,
- Unfeathered propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota IV-M in Bettles: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1979 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
N99663
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Bettles - Ambler
MSN:
16719/33467
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Bettles Airport was unstable and completed in poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and blowing snow. The aircraft crashed on three parked aircraft on apron. The C-47 was destroyed and both pilots were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums.
Probable cause:
Collision with parked aircraft on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Blowing snow,
- Visibility less than half a mile, below minimums,
- No alternate airport,
- LOC/DME approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Alatna River: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1977 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N48064
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Alatna River - Bettles
MSN:
278
YOM:
1958
Location:
Alatna River
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
The pilot took off from a gravel bar adjacent to the Alatna River, bound for Bettles. After departure, the single engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck trees and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to misuse of flaps. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Misjudged distance, speed and altitude,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Loose gravel,
- High obstructions,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- Takeoff from rvr gravel bar toward bend in river,
- Trees, steep rvr bank at bend.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Anaktuvuk Pass: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1976 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N1707U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anaktuvuk Pass - Bettles
MSN:
207-0307
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
FTA528
Location:
Anaktuvuk Pass
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1744
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after it departed Anaktuvuk Pass Airstrip, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The flight was completed on behalf of Wien Air Alaska.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during normal cruise after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Overcast,
- Visibility 1/2 mile or less,
- Blowing snow,
- Weather conditions below minimus,
- The pilot had just flown thru same weather.
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:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Bettles - Dietrich Camp
MSN:
4234
YOM:
1967
Location:
Old Man's Camp
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
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 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:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks – Bettles
MSN:
77-33
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
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 Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 near Bettles

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1970 at 1450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant
Operator:
Pan Alaska Airways
Registration:
N123PA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Prospect Creek - Dietrich Camp
MSN:
1861
YOM:
1969
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9495
Captain / Total hours on type:
304.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet , the right engine failed. The crew feathered its propeller when the left engine lost power. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed near an icy river. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine in flight and partial loss of power on left engine caused by fuel contamination. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly serviced aircraft by owner-pilot,
- Fuel contamination-exclusive of water in fuel,
- Water in fuel,
- Failure of right engine in flight, propeller feathered,
- Left engine lost power,
- Sediment found in fuel storage tanks.
Final Report:
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