Crash of a Volpar Turboliner II (G18S) in Dutch Harbor: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1976 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Volpar Turboliner 18
Operator:
Winship Air Services
Registration:
N600WA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cold Bay - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
BA-463
YOM:
1959
Location:
Unalaska
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
15868
Captain / Total hours on type:
3605.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Dutch Harbor, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane was too low and struck the ground few miles short of runway and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach following improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- CLGS below 1,000 feet,
- Areas of visibility below 3 miles in drizzle and fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24A in Anchorage: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1976 at 1758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Winship Air Services
Registration:
N651LJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Deadhorse - Anchorage
MSN:
24-125
YOM:
1966
Location:
Anchorage-Ted Stevens Intl
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
9832
Captain / Total hours on type:
321.00
Circumstances:
During a final approach completed in limited visibility due to low clouds and fog, the crew failed to realize that his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 914 metres short of runway threshold. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while two other passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility 1/4 mile or less,
- Pilot descended below published minimums,
- Low fuel state,
- Did not refuel before takeoff,
- Overflew suitable airports.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Lupine: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1974 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Volpar Turboliner 18
Operator:
Winship Air Services
Registration:
N357V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Lupine
MSN:
AF-680
YOM:
1954
Location:
Lupine
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
11197
Captain / Total hours on type:
191.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Lupine Airstrip, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and snow falls. On final, he decided to make a low pass and reduced his altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling, fog and snow falls,
- Icing conditions,
- Weather was given via radio by oil company radio operator,
- Over max takeoff and landing weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA near Deadhorse: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1973 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
Winship Air Services
Registration:
N1214S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Deadhorse - Prudhoe Bay
MSN:
T26-31
YOM:
1968
Location:
Deadhorse
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8216
Captain / Total hours on type:
1134.00
Circumstances:
While descending in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost his orientation and descended too low without any ground reference when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 28 NM south of the airport. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during initial approach following improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Low ceiling,
- Began approach before Sta passage,
- Descent below clearance limit,
- Exceeded 10 NM arc outbound,
- Impacted terrain 28 NM south of airport.
Final Report:
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