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Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Kaktovik: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1963 at 2328 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
N65458
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perry Island – Kaktovik
MSN:
4084
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kaktovik (Barter Island)
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:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
16135
Captain / Total hours on type:
4872.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Kaktovik Airport completed by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with fog. Descending under VFR, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground few km short of runway. A passenger was seriously injured while all five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot descended too low under VFR in poor weather conditions and reduced visibility.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18 Expeditor in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1962 at 0925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N8044H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4303
YOM:
1942
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the undercarriage retracted. The twin engine aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that an unidentified person placed the gear switch in up position before pilot boarding.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Northeast Cape

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
N61392
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
963
YOM:
1942
Location:
Northeast Cape (St Lawrence Island)
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
Circumstances:
While taking off from Northeast Cape on St Lawrence Island, one of the main gear collapsed. The pilot elected to stop immediately but the airplane overran and came to rest in a snowy field. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of an undercarriage while taking off with an overloaded aircraft and a CofG too far rear.

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 Beechcraft C18S Expeditor in Kotzebue: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N6674C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kotzebue – Nome
MSN:
8313
YOM:
1945
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:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was returning to his base at Nome after having flown passengers to Kotzebue. After takeoff, a fire erupted in the cabin and the pilot elected to return for an emergency landing. While completing a sharp turn at low height, the right wing struck a telephone pole and was sheared off. Out of control, the airplane crashed and burned, killing the pilot. It was reported that cabin gas heater burst into flames after rotation.
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