Alaska

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Barrow - Fairbanks

MSN:

AF-305

YOM:

1953

Location:

Livengood

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11028

Captain / Total hours on type:

530.00

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from Barrow to Fairbanks, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located near a pipeline, in the region of Livengood. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air near King Cove: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1981 at 1040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N631SR

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kodiak - King Cove

MSN:

BB-244

YOM:

1977

Location:

King Cove

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18800

Captain / Total hours on type:

16.00

Circumstances:

While descending to King Cove Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane (fog and rain) was too low and struck the slope of a mountain located southeast of King Cove. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Control flight into terrain following improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Low altitude visual approach in mountainous terrain,
- Crew not familiar with destination geography.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas SC-54G Skymaster in Kenai: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1981 at 1739 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

N3373F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kenai - King Salmon

MSN:

36061

YOM:

1945

Location:

Kenai

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9776

Captain / Total hours on type:

276.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Kenai Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew declared an emergency and elected to return to Kenai when a part of the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a pasture and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine fire and explosion in flight due to engine structure: cylinder assembly material failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Fire in engine and wing,
- Separation in flight,
- Failure of cylinder n°2 in engine n°1.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 in Pilot Point: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1981 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

United Aircraft Services

Registration:

N111ST

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pilot Point – Anchorage

MSN:

4661

YOM:

1942

Location:

Pilot Point

Country:

Region:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Prior to takeoff from from Pilot Point Airstrip, the left engine nearly quit twice. Following normal takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The captain decided to return and initiated a left turn when, from a height of 300-400 feet, the left wing dropped. The airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed. They were completing a cargo flight to Anchorage, carrying a load of fish.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- Gross weight and CofG unknown.

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Bettles

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1981 at 2215 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8682

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bettles - Fort Yukon

MSN:

10859

YOM:

1952

Flight number:

Tanker 138

Location:

Bettles

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Bettles to Fort Yukon on a fire fighting mission, the airplane was climbing when the right engine caught fire and exploded. The captain ordered the four passengers (firefighters) and the copilot to evacuate the cabin and the captain, sole on board, attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar located near the Kayokuk River. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Loose gravel,
- Sandy terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Unknown intern fire in right engine,
- Unfeathered propeller.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Denali National Park: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6331H

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Anchorage - Anchorage

MSN:

207-0486

YOM:

1979

Location:

Denali National Park

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3500

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed Anchorage on an on-demand charter flight over the Denali National Park, carrying one pilot and four tourists. While flying between 8,000 and 13,000 feet near circular end of box canyon, the pilot flew into blind canyon when the airplane struck peaks obscured by clouds and crashed. The wreckage was found few hours later and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground due to improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- High density altitude,
- Peaks obscured by clouds.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Anvik: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1981 at 1745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

Alaska Express

Registration:

N146PA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Anvik - Anchorage

MSN:

BA-480

YOM:

1959

Location:

Anvik

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12700

Captain / Total hours on type:

327.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Anvik Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was en route to Anchorage on a company cargo flight.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb because the pilot failed to abort takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- 188 lbs over max gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair C-131E Samaritan in Dillingham

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1981 at 1617 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair C-131 Samaritan

Operator:

Command Aviation

Registration:

N121CA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Dillingham - Anchorage

MSN:

342

YOM:

1956

Location:

Dillingham

Country:

Region:

Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9500

Captain / Total hours on type:

630.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Dillingham Airport, while on a company ferry flight to Anchorage, the right engine surged at meto power and the crew was forced to shut it down. The decision to return was taken and the crew followed a circuit pattern then started the descent. On final approach, the airplane descended into trees and crashed in a wooded area located few hundred yards short of runway 01. The aircraft was destroyed while all three occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb after exhaust stacks failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Leak,
- Power indicators failure,
- Governors malfunction,
- Overheated, erratic,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow approved procedures,
- Right engine fire warning light during takeoff,
- Engine surged at meto power,
- Exhaust stack broken,
- Bmep conduit overheated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 in Slate Creek

Date & Time: May 15, 1981 at 1215 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N70DA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Chicken - Slate Creek

MSN:

SH.1848

YOM:

1968

Location:

Slate Creek

Country:

Region: