Crash of a Chase YC-122C Avitruc in Golovin

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1968 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N122R
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
CY-882
YOM:
1954
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
120.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a cargo flight and the aircraft was carrying a load of cement bags. En route, the right engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Golovin Airport for an emergency landing. On final, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed in a lagoon located short of runway and came to rest in three feet of water. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned.
Probable cause:
Failure of the cylinder number one on right engine. Initiated go-around at a too low speed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- The crew misused or failed to use flaps,
- Poorly planned approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated P4Y-2G Privateer in McGrath: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1968 at 1757 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7974A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
McGrath - McGrath
MSN:
66306
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1334
Captain / Total hours on type:
245.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission near McGrath. While flying at low height, the airplane stuck the slope of a mountain and crashed, killing all four occupants.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command misjudged altitude and clearance, causing the aircraft to struck the slope of a mountain.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Sitka

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1968 at 1859 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7707C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
108-33965
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3734
Captain / Total hours on type:
58.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the landing procedure on a snow covered runway at Sitka Airport. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a rock pile. While all three occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. The aircraft was owned by Fred Lewis and Fred Zax.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain directional control after landing due to snow on runway. The crew decided to attempt the flight with known deficiencies in equipment as the aircraft was poorly equipped with unreliable radios and the cockpit light failed in flight. At the time of the accident, the runway was covered with one inch of snow.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune on Mt Fairweather: 14 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
135594
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Sangley Point – Elmendorf – Whidbey Island
MSN:
726-7038
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a transpacific flight from Sangley Point AFB to Whidbey Island with probable en route stops in Japan and Alaska (Elmendorf or Ladd AAF). While in cruising altitude, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Fairweather located approximately 123 miles northwest of Juneau. As the aircraft failed to arrive at Whidbey Island NAS, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 14 crew members was found. In 1982, the wreckage was found in an isolated area.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell near Rampart: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1967 at 1550 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N9937Z
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rampart - Rampart
MSN:
108-24236
YOM:
1942
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6266
Captain / Total hours on type:
222.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire control mission in the region of Rampart. While cruising at a too low altitude, the airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew misjudged altitude and clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1967 at 1452 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7777C
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4803
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10182
Captain / Total hours on type:
2017.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Kotzebue-Wien Memorial Airport was completed in whiteout conditions with a very limited visibility. Following a 'normal' approach, the airplane belly landed and slid for few hundred yards before coming to rest. All 32 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approach check-list and forgot to lower the landing gear, causing the airplane to make a wheels-up landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kodiak: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1967 at 0751 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N80194
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
AF-175
YOM:
1946
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8726
Captain / Total hours on type:
38.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff from Kodiak Airport, the twin engine airplane struck a gravel pile, stalled and crashed, killing both occupants. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to foggy conditions.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain a sufficient flying speed for takeoff and the first portion of takeoff run was in fog at south end of runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman HU-16E Albatross on Saint Paul Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
1271
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
G-247
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
This HU-16E crew was performing a scheduled logistics/law enforcement mission to the Loran Station on St. Paul Island. When then arrived they encountered poor weather with a ceiling below 400-feet with light snow falling. With insufficient fuel available to reach an alternate airfield, the pilot attempted to land at the strip. On the fourth attempt to land, the plane crashed when the right wing tip struck the ground. AT2 Frank R. Edmunds was fatally injured as a result.
Source: http://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htm

Crash of a Douglas A-26B Invader in Homer

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1966 at 1251 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4824E
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
28004
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4227
Captain / Total hours on type:
142.00
Circumstances:
The pilot completed a VFR approach to Homer in poor weather conditions. After touchdown on a contaminated runway, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest into soft ground. All five occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was written off. At the time of the accident, the runway was contaminated with ice, slush and snow.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions despite the fact he was rated in aircraft for VFR flights only. He misjudged distance, speed and altitude and failed to initiate a go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S off Annette Island

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1966 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4711V
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4269
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude along Annette Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to divert to the nearest airport, the pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off the island. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All 11 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. Improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the pilot who miscalculated the fuel consumption.
Final Report: