Golovin | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

According to the pilot-in-command, he was attempting to fly through a mountain saddle. As he turned towards the mountain and began his climb the weather deteriorated rapidly with ceilings zero, visibility zero and severe turbulence. The airplane struck the side of a 1,707 foot high mountain at the 1,590 foot level on a magnetic heading of 015°. The pilot-in-command stated that just prior to impact he could not see anything. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) pressure - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - obscuration
4. (c) vfr flight into imc - continued - pilot in command
5. (c) weather evaluation - poor - pilot in command
6. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
7. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
8. (f) weather evaluation - poor - company/operator management
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
9. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
10. (f) terrain condition - snow covered
11. (f) weather condition - clouds
12. (f) weather condition - whiteout
13. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Golovin: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1980

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Registration:

N90238

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nome - Unalakleet

MSN:

402B-0817

YOM:

1975

Location:

Golovin

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6145

Captain / Total hours on type:

107.00

Circumstances:

En route from Nome to Unalakleet, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. He decided to continue under VFR mode when the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The wreckage was found a day later in a remote area. All eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- IFR weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Chase YC-122C Avitruc in Golovin

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1968 at 1722 LT

Type of aircraft:

Chase YC-122 Avitruc

Operator:

Mobile Aircraft

Registration:

N122R

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

CY-882

YOM:

1954

Location:

Golovin

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10000

Captain / Total hours on type:

120.00

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a cargo flight and the aircraft was carrying a load of cement bags. En route, the right engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Golovin Airport for an emergency landing. On final, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed in a lagoon located short of runway and came to rest in three feet of water. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned.

Probable cause:

Failure of the cylinder number one on right engine. Initiated go-around at a too low speed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- The crew misused or failed to use flaps,
- Poorly planned approach.

Final Report: