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Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Kodiak: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 14, 2004 at 1137 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N401CK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anchorage – Kodiak
MSN:
AF-60
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
18600
Circumstances:
The solo airline transport pilot departed on a commercial cargo flight in a twin-engine, turboprop airplane. As the flight approached the destination airport, visibility decreased below the 2 mile minimum required for the initiation of the approach. The pilot entered a holding pattern, and waited for the weather to improve. After holding for about 45 minutes, the ceiling and visibility had improved, and the flight was cleared for the ILS 25 instrument approach. After the pilot's initial contact with ATCT personnel, no further radio communications were received. When the flight did not reach the destination airport, it was reported overdue. A search in the area of an ELT signal located the accident airplane on a hilly, tree-covered island. A witness located to the north of the airport reported seeing a twin-engine turboprop airplane flying very low over the water, headed in an easterly direction, away from the airport. The witness added that the weather at the time consisted of very low clouds, fog, and rain, with zero-zero visibility. A local resident also stated that the weather conditions were often much lower over the water adjacent to the approach end of the airport than at the airport itself. The missed approach procedure for the ILS 25 approach is a climbing left turn to the south. About one minute after the accident, a special weather observation was reporting, in part: Wind, 060 degrees (true) at 11 knots; visibility, 2 statute miles in light rain and mist; clouds and sky condition, 500 feet broken, 900 feet broken, 1,500 feet overcast; temperature, 46 degrees F; dew point, 44 degrees F. According to FAA records, the company was not authorized to conduct single pilot IFR operations in the accident airplane, and that the accident pilot was the operator's chief pilot. Toxicology tests revealed cocaethylene and chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow proper IFR procedures by not adhering to the published missed approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with tree-covered terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling, fog, rain, and the insufficient operating standards of company management by allowing unauthorized single pilot instrument flight operations. Additional factors were the pilot's impairment from cocaine, alcohol, and over the counter cold medication, and the FAA's inadequate medical certification of the pilot and follow-up of his known substance abuse problems.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1988 at 0620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N64398
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Sitka - Rowan Bay
MSN:
251
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3300
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13985
Circumstances:
While on a flight from Sitka to Rowan Bay, Alaska, the pilot flew up a valley intending to cross a pass whose elevation was 2,745 feet msl. Upon approaching the pass the pilot encountered clouds which prevented his transit. The pilot then executed a 180° right course reversal and at some point near the completion of the maneuver and in close proximity to the steep terrain along the western edge of the pass the pilot allowed the aircraft to enter a stall condition. The aircraft impacted the 40° sloped terrain in a steep nose down, near wings level attitude and with a steep flight path. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
Findings
1. (c) weather evaluation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) in-flight planning/decision - delayed - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - clouds
4. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
5. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report: