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Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Hooper Bay

Date & Time: May 16, 1982 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N103AQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bethel - Chevak - Scammon Bay - Hooper Bay
MSN:
183
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
GFF517
Location:
Hooper Bay
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4550
Captain / Total hours on type:
1990.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1850
Copilot / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
15267
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Hooper Bay, Alaska. The airplane crashed 1,320 feet short of the threshold of runway 13 during an approach in visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was substantially damaged when it crashed onto hard-packed snow and ice about 700 feet from the edge of the Bering Sea. There was no fire. The two pilots and six passengers sustained serious injuries in the accident.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Beard determines that the probable cause of this accident was the flightcrew's failure to compute and properly interpret the airplane's weight and balance and their operation of the airplane with the center of gravity substantially aft of its authorized limit which resulted in loss of control of the airplane during a landing attempt.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Cape Yakataga

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1982 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Red Dodge
Registration:
N2845D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Hollywood
MSN:
B112
YOM:
1945
Location:
Cape Yakataga
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3628
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2941
Circumstances:
Aircraft departed Merrill Field at 1110 with 220 gallons of fuel. Two hours later both engines quit while flying at an altitude of 6,500 feet approximately 10 miles offshore. The crew was unable to restart the engines and the aircraft was ditched into 12 to 15 foot waves with a 40 knot surface wind. The right float was torn off and both engine mounts broke. The aircraft sank at 1745 and was not recovered. The aircraft had an annual inspection 4 days prior to the accident. The fueling facilities were checked and found free of water or other contaminants.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
2. (c) terrain condition - water,rough
3. (f) weather condition - high wind
4. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Port Graham

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1982 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Cook Inlet Aviation
Registration:
N1729U
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Homer - Port Graham
MSN:
207-0329
YOM:
1976
Location:
Port Graham
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:
4226
Captain / Total hours on type:
47.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5798
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that during a base to final turn, the aircraft was blown slightly off the center line of the runway. Also, he reported encountering a windshear effect from a nearby bluff. As the plane drifted to the right, it commenced a high sink rate and the pilot added power. However, the right main landing gear struck a snowberm at the edge of the runway. The plane continued in a relatively straight line for about 75 to 80 feet, then nosed over.
Probable cause:
In flight collision with terrain on landing - flare/touchdown due to improper compensation for wind conditions on part of the pilot. The following findings were reported:
- Unfavorable wind,
- Windshear,
- Snowbank.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Tyonek: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1981 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N9461M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tyonek - Anchorage
MSN:
207-0692
YOM:
1981
Location:
Tyonek
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Captain / Total hours on type:
550.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tyonek Airstrip, while in initial climb in fog, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed in the nearby inlet. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was heavily loaded. The right front passenger was holding a child before takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E near Savoonga: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1981 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6272B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Gambell - Nome
MSN:
680-716-26
YOM:
1959
Location:
Savoonga
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
878
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet in marginal weather conditions on a mail flight from Gambell to Nome, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Sky overcast 500 to 600 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Skwentna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1981 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N91083
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Galena - Anchorage
MSN:
207-0064
YOM:
1969
Location:
Skwentna
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:
3400
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Galena to Anchorage, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. While flying in whiteout conditions with snow falls, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed, killing both occupants.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Operator cautioned pilot against using mystic pass,
- Drug screen positive for cannabinoids and acetaminophen.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119L Flying Boxcar in Dahl Creek

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1981 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N8504W
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anchorage - Dahl Creek
MSN:
256
YOM:
1953
Location:
Dahl Creek
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Dahl Creek, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear locking mechanism upon landing due to overload failure and the gear shear pin failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Ketchikan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1981 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Joseph R. Gifford
Registration:
N2695A
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Heppner – Yakima – Ketchikan
MSN:
340A-0770
YOM:
1979
Location:
Ketchikan
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2614
Captain / Total hours on type:
8.00
Circumstances:
While on an ILS/DME approach to Ketchikan Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. In limited visibility, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Turbulences associated with thunderstorms.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Healy

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1981 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N5075E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Healy - Anchorage
MSN:
500-1855-37
YOM:
1968
Location:
Healy
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:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
58.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Healy, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that struck trees and crashed near the airport. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Wind gusting 20 knots at airport,
- Wind variable and gusting 50 knots approximately 1,5 mile either side of airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Ketchikan

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1981 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
South East Alaska Airlines
Registration:
N31618
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Ketchikan
MSN:
858
YOM:
1956
Location:
Ketchikan
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1671
Captain / Total hours on type:
541.00
Circumstances:
While returning to Ketchikan following a local touristic charter flight in the region, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility due to fog, he lost his orientation then the control of the float equipped aircraft that crashed, bursting into flames. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Fog,
- Visibility down to zero.
Final Report:
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