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Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Hydaburg: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1978 at 1555 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
N3790G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Hydaburg
MSN:
600
YOM:
1954
Location:
Hydaburg
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:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2632
Captain / Total hours on type:
990.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Hydaburg in limited visibility, the single engine floatplane struck obstacles and crashed few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Accident occurred 28 minutes after sunset.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon near Cordova: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
C. R. Morse
Registration:
N444W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cordova - Juneau
MSN:
1450
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cordova
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising unde VFR mode in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in an isolated area located in the region of Cordova. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 21, 1979.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and ground collision after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Napaskiak

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1978 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N18AA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Napaskiak - Bethel
MSN:
207-0406
YOM:
1977
Location:
Napaskiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While taking off at Napaskiak Airfield, the engine failed. The aircraft crash landed, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured or with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Soft runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Barrow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1978 at 1644 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Arctic Guide Air Taxi
Registration:
N4048B
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:
Anaktuvuk Pass - Barrow
MSN:
125
YOM:
1968
Location:
Barrow
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:
4302
Captain / Total hours on type:
892.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a taxi flight from Anaktuvuk Pass to Barrow. On final approach to Barrow Airport in icing conditions, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed, the pilot was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Airframe - flight controls surfaces: other, improperly installed,
- The pilot failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Improper operation of anti-icing/deicing equipment or failed to use,
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Inadequate flight training procedures on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Improper installed deice boots on horizontal stabilizer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Kodiak: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Viking Air Services
Registration:
N1EC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
King Salmon - Kodiak
MSN:
411-0094
YOM:
1965
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
90.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Kodiak on a taxi flight from King Salmon, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Shelikof Strait located off Kodiak. SAR operations were conducted and eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the aircraft was not recovered, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Whittier: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1978 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Alaska Travel
Registration:
N37741
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Anchorage - Whittier
MSN:
269
YOM:
1952
Location:
Whittier
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:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3125
Captain / Total hours on type:
106.00
Circumstances:
En route from Anchorage to Whittier, weather conditions worsened while the pilot was flying into a canyon. The single engine airplane lost height then crashed in a river bed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Sudden windshift,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Float equipped,
- No antenna for ELT.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Laboucher Bay: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N1045
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Laboucher Bay - Ketchikan
MSN:
1195
YOM:
1942
Location:
Laboucher Bay
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
5727
Captain / Total hours on type:
684.00
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Laboucher Bay (Summer Strait) while on a flight from Laboucher Bay to Ketchikan. Four dead bodies only were found. The wreckage was not found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be established.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Maxson Aviation
Registration:
N26641
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Red Dog
MSN:
134
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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:
2641
Captain / Total hours on type:
510.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kotzebue to Red Dog, the engine failed due to icing. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing off airport on land when the airplane crashed in flames. The pilot escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Anti-icing/deicing equipment - improper operation or failed to use,
- Ice carburetor,
- Loss of engine power,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Pelican

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1978 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Southeast Skyways
Registration:
N8690
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Elfin Cove - Herbert Graves Island
MSN:
811
YOM:
1955
Location:
Pelican
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5150
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot entered a narrow channel at an altitude of 100 feet when he lost control of the aircraft that spiraled to the ground. The wreckage was found in the region of Pelican. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during normal cruise due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Flew to blind canyon,
- Float equipped,
- Entered narrow channel at 100 feet AGL.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Omalik: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1978 at 1418 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Aurora Air Services
Registration:
N1789U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Omalik - Galena - Fairbanks
MSN:
207-0389
YOM:
1977
Location:
Omalik
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:
6528
Captain / Total hours on type:
473.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its departure from Omalik, while flying at low altitude in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane hit obstacles and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pirep stated clouds obscured Windy Creek drainage area.
Final Report:
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