Alaska

Schedule:

Elmendorf - Sparrevohn

MSN:

3832

YOM:

1963

Location:

Sparrevohn

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Sparrevohn Airfield, the four engine airplane crashed few hundred yards short of runway. It was destroyed upon impact, killing all seven occupants.

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

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1978 at 0752 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Chitna Air Service

Registration:

N4747S

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cordova - Cordova Mile 13

MSN:

1142

YOM:

1958

Location:

Cordova

Country:

Region:

Dornier DO.28D Skyservant

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11000

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Cordova Airstrip, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 1626 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N21AS

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bethel - Kuskokwim River

MSN:

4004

YOM:

1968

Location:

Bethel

Country:

Region:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1157

Captain / Total hours on type:

175.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Bethel, en route to Kuskokwim River, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to poor/inadequate design on part of the production design personnel.

Final Report:

Crash of an Evangel 4500 in Merrill Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1325 LT

Type of aircraft:

Evangel 4500

Operator:

Registration:

N4508L

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Dillingham – Stony River – Anchorage

MSN:

YOM:

1974

Location:

Merrill Pass

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5500

Captain / Total hours on type:

1203.00

Circumstances:

While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Merrill Pass. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed. The wreckage was located a day later.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot checked weather data himself,
- Zero visibility.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander near Toksook Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1978 at 0920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

N869JA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Bethel - Tununak

MSN:

120

YOM:

1970

Location:

Toksook Bay

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:

1783

Captain / Total hours on type:

179.00

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions (whiteout conditions) on a cargo flight from Bethel to Tununak, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- VFR flight plan,
- Aircraft in area during same time period reported poor visibility due to snow squalls.

Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 in Toksook Bay

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1977 at 0940 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N64AC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Bethel -Toksook Bay

MSN:

1849

YOM:

1968

Location:

Toksook Bay

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3800

Captain / Total hours on type:

1605.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Toksook Bay Airport, the crew encountered whiteout conditions with fog and snow falls. While descending under VFR mode, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a snow covered area located short of runway. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on approach after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility less than two miles,
- Weather reports not available for Toksook Bay,
- Wind gusting 20 knots.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Iliamna

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1977 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N1656U

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Iliamna - Naknek

MSN:

207-0256

YOM:

1974

Location:

Iliamna

Country:

Region:

Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3222

Captain / Total hours on type:

331.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Iliamna, the pilot was unable to maintain flying speed. In poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed in a snow covered field. All eight occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall during normal cruise after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Snow,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Visibility two miles or less,
- IFR weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-8 Islander off Kotzebue: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

N36MN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Point Hope - Kotzebue

MSN:

546

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2800

Captain / Total hours on type:

300.00

Circumstances:

En route from Point Hope to Kotzebue, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Alaskan coast. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain into Lake Minchumina

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1977 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Alaska Central Airlines

Registration:

N103TA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lake Minchumina - Fairbanks

MSN:

31-7405237

YOM:

1974

Location:

Lake Minchumina

Country:

Region: