Date & Time:
Jan 5, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Gillam Airways
Registration:
NC14915
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Seattle – Ketchikan
MSN:
1021
YOM:
1935
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
1
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On approach to Ketchikan, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill located 30 miles southeast of the airport. SAR teams did not find the aircraft and two days later, a female passenger died from her injuries. The pilot, Harold Gillam, decided to walk away to find help while all four other passengers walked on another way. One month later, all four passengers eventually found help and few days later, the pilot's dead body was found iced.
Probable cause:
It is considered that the accident was caused by an error on part of the pilot who referred to a wrong beacon to approach Ketchikan and thus followed a wrong path.
