Zone
Alaska

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Maxson Aviation
Registration:
N26641
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Red Dog
MSN:
134
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2641
Captain / Total hours on type:
510.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kotzebue to Red Dog, the engine failed due to icing. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing off airport on land when the airplane crashed in flames. The pilot escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Anti-icing/deicing equipment - improper operation or failed to use,
- Ice carburetor,
- Loss of engine power,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-8 Islander off Kotzebue: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N36MN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Point Hope - Kotzebue
MSN:
546
YOM:
1977
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2800
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
En route from Point Hope to Kotzebue, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Alaskan coast. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1967 at 1452 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N7777C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4803
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10182
Captain / Total hours on type:
2017.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Kotzebue-Wien Memorial Airport was completed in whiteout conditions with a very limited visibility. Following a 'normal' approach, the airplane belly landed and slid for few hundred yards before coming to rest. All 32 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approach check-list and forgot to lower the landing gear, causing the airplane to make a wheels-up landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando off Cape Lisburne: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Skyvan Airways
Registration:
N67933
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kotzebue – Cape Lisburne
MSN:
22380
YOM:
1945
Location:
Cape Lisburne
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:
1
Circumstances:
The wind direction shifted from east to south while the crew were preparing to land at runway 08. The captain decided to initiate a landing on runway 26. The sink rate during the approach became unsatisfactory and a go around was attempted. The aircraft was in a right turn at 150 feet when the plane settled and crashed in the Chuckchi Sea, some 300 yards from the runway. Both pilots survived the impact, but one of them drowned in the 27° F water. Downdrafts in the area north of the runway probably caused the plane to settle. Downdrafts were known to exist when the wind is southerly. The phenomena is caused by high terrain surrounding the strip on all sides except the north.
Probable cause:
An uncontrollable loss of altitude caused by adverse wind conditions during an attempted go around.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18 Expeditor in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1962 at 0925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N8044H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4303
YOM:
1942
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the undercarriage retracted. The twin engine aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that an unidentified person placed the gear switch in up position before pilot boarding.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S Expeditor in Kotzebue: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N6674C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kotzebue – Nome
MSN:
8313
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was returning to his base at Nome after having flown passengers to Kotzebue. After takeoff, a fire erupted in the cabin and the pilot elected to return for an emergency landing. While completing a sharp turn at low height, the right wing struck a telephone pole and was sheared off. Out of control, the airplane crashed and burned, killing the pilot. It was reported that cabin gas heater burst into flames after rotation.

Crash of a Bellanca CH-200 Pacemaker in Kotzebue: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Bellanca CH-200 Pacemaker
Operator:
Market Missionary
Registration:
NC862N
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Kotzebue
MSN:
185
YOM:
1930
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kotzebue Airport on a local test flight. On final approach, it crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three occupants, among them the Alaskan aviator and pioneer Ralph Wien. In 1951, the Kotzebue Airport will be named in his memory.
Crew:
Ralph Wien, pilot.
Passengers:
Philip Delon, Superior general of Alaskan Catholic missions,
William Walsh, diocesan priest from Oakland, California.
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