United States of America

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Ketchikan – Wrangell

MSN:

BA-655

YOM:

1963

Location:

Wrangell

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

6.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Wrangell on a pleasure flight from Ketchikan, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. At an altitude of 3,000 feet, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain and crashed. The wreckage was found few hours later and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Kasilof

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1977 at 2200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Jon W. Myers

Registration:

N2853G

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Tyonek - Kasilof

MSN:

AF-188

YOM:

1952

Location:

Kasilof

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2907

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

During an adverse bounced landing at Kasilof Airstrip, the cargo shifted and the airplane went out of control. It crashed and came to rest in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground after the 2,000 pounds cargo shifted upon landing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Cargo not tied down.

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:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Alatna River - Bettles

MSN:

278

YOM:

1958

Location:

Alatna River

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 720

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 Rockwell Aero Commander 720 in Wausau: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1977 at 1157 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Robert Schiller

Registration:

N688R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rhinelander - Wausau

MSN:

720-790-11

YOM:

1959

Location:

Wausau

Wisconsin

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

197

Captain / Total hours on type:

146.00

Circumstances:

While on approach to Wausau-Waukesha Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled, entered a spin and crashed few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall and spin on approach following an engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Improper single-engine procedures.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Sitka: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1977 at 0130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

NSD Corporation

Registration:

N4207S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

King Salmon - Sitka

MSN:

LW-207

YOM:

1977

Location:

Sitka

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2800

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Sitka in limited visibility, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain and crashed few miles from the destination. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on final approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Mountains adjacent to Sitka obscured.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander in Ruby: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1977 at 1845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Harolds Air Service

Registration:

N22JA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Ruby - Colorado Creek

MSN:

264

YOM:

1971

Location:

Ruby

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3675

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Circumstances:

At takeoff from an unsuitable terrain, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. A passenger was killed while three other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The pilot selected unsuitable terrain and misjudged speed and clearance.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Rochester: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1977 at 2152 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N406CA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Buffalo - Rochester

MSN:

31-637

YOM:

1970

Location:

Rochester

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8300

Captain / Total hours on type:

7735.00

Circumstances:

While on approach to Rochester-Greater Rochester Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in the Cheektowaga County. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent on final approach due to improper operation of flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Hypertensive hemorrhage of left basal ganglia.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Sheridan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1977 at 0535 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

N459

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sheridan - Sheridan

Location:

Ardoch

North Dakota

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8530

Captain / Total hours on type:

3000.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a crop spraying mission against grasshoppers in the region of Sheridan. While flying at a relative low altitude, the crew made a 45° turn when the airplane stalled, spiraled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during turnaround while the crew was flying into blind canyon. The following contributing factors were reported:
- inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Hilly terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Fort Lauderdale: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1977 at 1132 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Stanley Aviation

Registration:

N6892S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

San Juan - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

680-419-93

YOM:

1956

Location:

Florida

Country:

Region: