Zone
Alaska

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Merrill Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1985 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
N5317G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hidden River - Willow
MSN:
617
YOM:
1954
Location:
Merrill Pass
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
4900
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7640
Circumstances:
The aircraft collided with terrain in a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,600 feet msl. The pilot obtained a weather briefing at 1329 gmt on 9/26/85 at which time Merrill Pass was forecast to be closed by 1100 adt due to deteriorating weather. The last radio communication with the aircraft was at 1803 gmt when contact was made with McGrath FSS. At this time the pilot made a pilot report stating the weather at Merrill Pass was marginal; 2 miles visibility with snow and occasional moderate turbulence. The wreckage was located on 9/29/85 and indicated the aircraft contacted the terrain in a relatively level attitude with considerable airspeed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (f) improper use of procedure - pilot in command
3. (c) flight into known adverse weather - continued - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - turbulence
5. (f) weather condition - snow
6. (f) weather condition - obscuration
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
7. (c) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
8. (c) altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of an Evangel 4500 in Merrill Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Evangel 4500
Operator:
Registration:
N4508L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dillingham – Stony River – Anchorage
MSN:
8
YOM:
1974
Location:
Merrill Pass
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1203.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Merrill Pass. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed. The wreckage was located a day later.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot checked weather data himself,
- Zero visibility.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Merrill Pass: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48069
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
13885/25330
YOM:
1944
Location:
Merrill Pass
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Merrill Pass, about 110 miles west of Anchorage. All five crew members were killed.
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