Kenai

Weather conditions on the day of the accident were reported to be extremely variable. Initially, when the pilot obtained a weather briefing, VFR flight was not recommended. Later, the weather improved and the pilot elected to proceed on the flight. While en route, he encountered snow showers and descended to 500 feet agl to insure best visibility. The pilot stated that without warning, he encountered a snow squall and whiteout conditions while he was flying over a ridge immediately west of the Kustatan River. He attempted a 180 turn, but the aircraft crashed on snow covered terrain. One occupant, an infant, died from impact injuries. The survivors were located about 21 hours after the accident. The ELT switch was found in the 'off' position; no ELT signal was heard by other pilots. Another pilot who encountered weather at about the same time and place diverted to another airport.

A Piper PA-31, N35206, (South Central Air flight 59) was cleared to taxi to runway 06L. The weather at that time was foggy with about 1/8 mile visibility, but the RVR was improving and the airport was expected soon to be acceptable for takeoffs. The PA-31 crew taxied and waited in the holding area for the visibility to improve. A Douglas DC-10, HL7339, Korean Air Lines flight 084, was cleared to runway 32; however, while taxiing in the fog, the DC-10 crew inadvertently taxied to runway 06L/24R. Tower personnel were unable to see the aircraft in the fog and were unaware of the DC-10's position. The DC-10 was cleared to take-off on runway 32 and the PA-31 was cleared to hold on runway 06L. The DC-10 crew taxied on runway 24R and began taking off toward the PA-31 with 2,400 feet of runway remaining. Its estimated takeoff distance was 8,150 feet. Subsequently, the DC-10 collided with the PA-31, continued off the runway and hit stanchion lights, small trees and rough terrain. An investigation revealed the DC-10 pilot did not confirm his position by using his compass and that there was a lack of legible taxiway and runway signs.

Several black bears were spotted in a narrow canyon and the pilot began making tight, descending turns so his sightseeing passengers could get photographs. Reportedly, the stall warning horn came on, but the pilot continued the turns. He finally rolled out of the turn, but was headed uphill in the valley. The pilot was unable to maintain airspeed while climbing up the valley. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed and nosed over. The elevation of the crash site was about 3,000 feet and the reported temperature was 62° F. All six occupants were seriously injured.

After takeoff from Kenai Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew declared an emergency and elected to return to Kenai when a part of the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a pasture and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All three occupants were killed.

While completing a turn at low height, the aircraft stalled and crashed near Kenai. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

On landing at King Salmon Airport, the left engine fire warning sounded. In the meantime, an explosion occurred in the left wing tip. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

After departure from Anchorage Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered technical problems with his instruments. In zero visibility due to clouds and fog, the aircraft descended until it struck the ground and crashed few miles from Anchorage. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

While flying along the Aleutian Islands on a charter flight from Kenai to Dutch Harbor, the crew realized his fuel reserve was low and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off Akutan Island. All five occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

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.

While descending to Cordova Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds and located few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.