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Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Galena: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1981 at 1632 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N66856
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:
Hughes - Galena
MSN:
31-7405164
YOM:
1974
Location:
Galena
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:
4850
Captain / Total hours on type:
99.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Galena Airport, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around with flaps full down. The twin engine airplane began a slight climb then entered a steep turn to the left and crashed near the runway threshold. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during a go-around due to powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- The pilot-in-command misused flaps,
- Possible magneto failure on the right engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball II in Shemya: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1981 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
61-2664
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Eielson - Shemya
MSN:
18340/C20
YOM:
1962
Location:
Shemya
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
18638
Circumstances:
The approach to Shemya Airport was initiated by night and poor weather conditions with turbulences, fog and snow falls. On final, the crew failed to realize he was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. Six occupants were killed while 18 others were rescued.
Those killed were:
Maj William R. Bennett,
Cpt Larry A. Mayfield,
1st Lt Loren O. Ginter,
M/Sgt Stephen L. Kish,
S/Sgt Steven C. Balcer,
S/Sgt Harry L. Parsons III.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Kenai: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1981 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Alaska Air Guides
Registration:
N6473
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Anchorage - East Twin Lake
MSN:
410
YOM:
1952
Location:
Kenai
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2304
Captain / Total hours on type:
702.00
Circumstances:
While completing a turn at low height, the aircraft stalled and crashed near Kenai. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exercised poor judgment,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Low level turn,
- Aircraft at least 1,230 lbs over gross weight,
- CofG 5% aft of rear limits.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Dutch Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N95468
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Nikolski – Dutch Harbor
MSN:
1140
YOM:
1942
Location:
Dutch Harbor
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:
16068
Captain / Total hours on type:
237.00
Circumstances:
En route from Nikolski to Dutch Harbor on a taxi mail flight, the twin engine seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Dutch Harbor. Pieces from a wing were found floating on water while the main wreckage and the two occupants were not found.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Candle

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1980 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
International Trade & Investments
Registration:
N333FL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Candle - Kotzebue
MSN:
BA-29
YOM:
1955
Location:
Candle
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2660
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from a contaminated runway, the pilot completed the rotation prematurely. Unable to lift off, the twin engine airplane continued, overran and collided with brushes. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Collision with object during takeoff due to premature liftoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Airport conditions: ice/slush on runway,
- Unable to lift out of ground effect.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Nikiski

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1980 at 1105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Winward Passage Aviation
Registration:
N6244H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nikiski - Kalgin Island
MSN:
207-0449
YOM:
1978
Location:
Nikiski
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2301
Captain / Total hours on type:
1203.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Nikiski Airport, the single engine airplane collided with trees and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot misused or failed to use flaps. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Full flaps takeoff,
- Over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Paimiut

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1980 at 1920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N1712U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bethel - Holy Cross
MSN:
207-0312
YOM:
1976
Location:
Paimiut
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1655
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
En route from Bethel to Holy Cross, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engine that oversped and failed. He reduced his altitude and completed an emergency landing in Paimiut. The pilot escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during normal cruise due to inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure: other,
- Lack of lubrication - specific part, not system,
- Material failure,
- inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Propeller and accessories: governors,
- RPM-uncontrollable-overspeed,
- Rough terrain,
- Complete engine power loss,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- N°4 main bearing turned, lube passages not aligned,
- Crankcase halves loose,
- Oil very black, tarry.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air off Kotzebue

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1980 at 1204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Registration:
N908CM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Barrow - Kotzebue
MSN:
LW-233
YOM:
1977
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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:
9430
Captain / Total hours on type:
553.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in good weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low. The twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed short of runway threshold. All six occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with water during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misjudged altitude and clearance,
- The aircraft came to rest in water,
- The pilot descended below minimum IFR altitude to VFR conditions, 400 feet cig, over water approach,
- Hit water while keeping landing in sight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A off Petersburg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1980 at 1933 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Staal Leasing
Registration:
N110RA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Petersburg
MSN:
340A-0315
YOM:
1977
Location:
Petersburg-James A. Johnson
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:
1310
Captain / Total hours on type:
850.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Petersburg Airport, the pilot reported he was having all kinds of problems. The tail apparently detached and the airplane crashed into the sea. The wreckage was not found and all four occupants were presumed dead.
Probable cause:
As the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Togiak: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1980 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N433GR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Togiak – Dillingham
MSN:
291
YOM:
1959
Location:
Togiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3400
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Togiak while on a taxi flight to Dillingham, the pilot encountered foggy conditions in a valley. He attempted to make a climb turn when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The pilot and a passenger were killed while seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.
Final Report:
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