Zone
Alaska

Crash of a SCAN-30 at Elusive Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1969 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
SCAN-30
Operator:
Registration:
N58Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sagwon - Elusive Lake
MSN:
27
YOM:
1949
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:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Elusive Lake near Barrow, the amphibian plane bounced, went out of control, crashed and sank. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and improper recovery from bounced landing on part of the pilot who received his type rating last July 1st.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Barrow: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1968 at 0954 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Barrow Air Services
Registration:
N3810C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-750-40
YOM:
1959
Location:
Barrow
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
13262
Captain / Total hours on type:
41.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Barrow Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. A passenger was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Failure of the right engine for undetermined reason,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft-weight and CofG,
- Aircraft allowed to enter condition of asymmetrical thrust,
- Aircraft overloaded by 475 lbs.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Kaktovik

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
N7332C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Barrow – Kaktovik
MSN:
5105
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kaktovik (Barter Island)
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
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kaktovik Airport (Barter Island), the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airfield. The pilot, sole on board, was injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred in 50 knots wind which is excessive.

Crash of a Lockheed 9E Orion Explorer in Walakpa Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1935 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 9 Orion
Operator:
Wiley Post
Registration:
NR12283
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Seattle – Fairbanks – Lake Harding – Barrow
MSN:
195
YOM:
1933
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:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Walakpa Lake located southwest of Barrow, while climbing to a height of 50 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the lake. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
Wiley Post, 37, test pilot by Lockheed.
Passenger:
Will Rogers, 56, actor.
Probable cause:
A study of the effect of the various changes made on the airplane indicated that it was decidedly nose-heavy and must have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to properly control without the aid of the engine. A statement made by the pilot after the change to pontoons confirms this conclusion. The exact cause of the engine failure cannot be determined. The temperature at the time was about 40 degrees Farenheit and the failure could have been due to the engine having become cool while standing on the lagoon or to ice or water condensate forming in the carburetor. It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was loss of control of the aircraft at a low altitude after sudden engine failure, due to the extreme nose-heaviness of the aircraft.
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