Zone
Alaska

Crash of a Cessna 402 near Summit Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1976 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4049Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Anchorage - Seward
MSN:
402-0149
YOM:
1967
Location:
Summit Lake
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:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
72.00
Circumstances:
While cruising parallel to the Seward - Anchorage highway at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the twin engine airplane collided with a Kenai Civil Air Patrol Beechcraft A-45 Mentor registered N1406Z. Engaged in a SAR mission after a Cessna 170 was missing, the Mentor was carrying two pilots. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with other aircraft in normal cruise. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to see and avoid other aircraft,
- Pilot of other aircraft,
- Not under radar contact,
- No control.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Kijik Lake: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1975 at 1651 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
N64392
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Twin Lakes
MSN:
968
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kijik Lake
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:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2096
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in good weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed on the slope of a mountain located about 12 miles from Kijik Lake. The wreckage was found a day later and all eight occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Stall in flight after the pilot's attention diverted from operation of aircraft and he failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Loss of control at altitude too low to effect recovery,
- Heavily loaded aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Deadhorse

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1974 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Registration:
N959L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Deadhorse - Anchorage
MSN:
570
YOM:
1972
Location:
Deadhorse
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4477
Captain / Total hours on type:
676.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the right engine lost power. The pilot lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and collided with a snow bank. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Airport facilities, runway lighting,
- Engine lost power about liftoff,
- Aircraft veered to right of runway into snow,
- Runway light inoperative,
- Dark,
- Ice fog in area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard into the Pacific Ocean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-73 Mallard
Operator:
Registration:
N2965
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Kodiak
MSN:
J-24
YOM:
1947
Location:
Pacific Ocean
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
15134
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Anchorage on a seabird survey flight to Kodiak. While cruising over the north Pacific Ocean, the airplane crashed into the sea and was lost without trace. The pilot was unable to send any distress call. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was found.
Probable cause:
As the aircraft was not recovered, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E into the Pacific Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Long Island Airlines
Registration:
N8441C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Annette Island
MSN:
680-789-52
YOM:
1959
Location:
Pacific Ocean
World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a ferry flight from Anchorage to Annette Island, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the north part of the Pacific Ocean, off the Alaskan coast. No trace of the airplane nor both occupants was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Nondalton

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1971 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
N10012
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Nondalton
MSN:
33271
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
RV012
Location:
Nondalton
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3280.00
Circumstances:
After landing on an icy lake located near Nondalton, the aircraft broke thru the ice and partially sank. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the flying crew. The aircraft broke thru ice on lake. FSS had message for pilot on ice condition but the crew did not call the station before landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A on Mt McKinley: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1969 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4524Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Kantishna
MSN:
402A-0024
YOM:
1969
Location:
Mt McKinley
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
8340
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Anchorage on a survey flight to Kantishna, taking part to a SAR mission after a helicopter was missing. On approach to Mt McKinley, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a slope of the the mountain. The wreckage was found a day later and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled in flight because de pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following findings were reported:
- Downdrafts,
- Flaps found extended to 30°,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild F27B in Pedro Bay: 39 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1968 at 0936 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild F27
Operator:
Registration:
N4905
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Anchorage – Iliamna – Big Mountain – King Salmon – Dillingham
MSN:
49
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
WC055
Location:
Pedro Bay
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Captain / Total flying hours:
10557
Captain / Total hours on type:
5357.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12087
Aircraft flight hours:
17194
Circumstances:
A Wien Consolidated Airlines Fairchild F-27B, N4905, crashed at Pedro Bay, Alaska. The 36 passengers and three crew members were killed in the accident and the aircraft was destroyed by in-flight breakup and ground impact. The aircraft was being operated as Flight 55 in scheduled domestic passenger service between Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC) and Dillingham Municipal Airport, AK (DLG) with en route stops at Iliamna Airport, AK (ILI), Big Mountain Airport, AK (BMX), and King Salmon Airport, AK (AKN). Flight 55 departed from Anchorage at 08:46 on an instrument flight plan for Iliamna. The flight was cleared to cruise at 16,000 feet. The weather at Iliamna was reported to be clear, and the visibility was 15 miles at the time of the flight's departure from Anchorage. The flight proceeded toward Iliamna without reported difficulty, and at 09:25, the first officer requested a clearance for an approach to Iliamna. This request was approved. No further communication was received from the crew. Ground witnesses in and around the Pedro Bay area reported that they saw a fireball and a large cloud of black smoke which appeared to be behind the wing of the aircraft. The aircraft appeared to continue on course for a short period of time, then pieces of the aircraft were seen falling, and the aircraft entered a spinning descent. The major portion of the wreckage was located on the southern shore of Foxies Lake at an elevation of approximately 220 feet.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an in-flight structural failure caused by an encounter with severe to extreme turbulence. This turbulence was not forecast and its presence was not known to the flight crew. The failure occurred in an area of the right wing (WS 197) which had been weakened to an indeterminate degree by pre-existing fatigue cracks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S near Anchorage: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1966 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Shaw Flight Service
Registration:
N445
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
8229
YOM:
1945
Location:
Anchorage
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3519
Captain / Total hours on type:
617.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight following a fatigue fracture and the separation in flight of the right wing. The fatigue fracture occurred adjacent to the landing gear slide cluster. The aircraft was properly maintained.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 10A Electra in Anchorage

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
N842
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1030
YOM:
1935
Location:
Anchorage
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Anchorage. The exact date remain unknown. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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