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Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2T on the North Pole

Date & Time: May 15, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N72KS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Longyearbyen - Barrow
MSN:
1G237-32
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an expedition over the Arctic and was completing a flight from Longyearbyen (Spitzberg Islands) to Barrow, Alaska, with another Cessna 185. The crew of the Cessna landed first to check the ice thickness. When the AN-2 landed, the ice started to crack. The pilot attempted to takeoff but the undercarriage went through the ice and the aircraft came to rest partially submerged in water. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Arctic

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-07647
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G157-32
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was engaged in a special flight to Artica, carrying four scientists and five crew members. Following an uneventful flight in good weather conditions, the crew selected a landing area on the ice. After touchdown, the right ski went through the ice and the aircraft came to a halt. All nine occupants deplaned when the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
The crew selected an unsuitable area for landing according to procedures as the ice was to thin.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 near the North Pole

Date & Time: May 9, 1982
Operator:
Registration:
C-GKBO
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
547
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing on an icy area located near the North Pole, one of the ski went through the ice and the airplane came to rest. All nine occupants, among them seven tourists, evacuated the cabin safely. The aircraft later sank and was lost.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in the Arctic

Date & Time: May 26, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N535
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bukhta Somnitelnaya - Bukhta Somnitelnaya
MSN:
184 346 02
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On a flight from Bukhta Somnitelnaya (Wrangel Island) to a drifting ice floe in the central Arctic Basin when the ski of the right main landing gear hit an ice hummock during the landing run and broke. The nose of the aircraft touched the ice and the fuselage broke into three when falling back onto the ice. All 6 crew and 4 passengers escaped unhurt and were evacuated by another aircraft. The wreck was set on fire and abandoned on the drifting ice floe. It was spotted by an aircraft of the Icelandic Coast Guard about 155 miles north-west of Iceland (approximately 10-20 miles off Scoresby Sound on Greenland's East Coast) 11DEC1959 but could no longer be found a few days later because of fog. It eventually sank.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 at the North Pole

Date & Time: May 8, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N140
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1 30 473 06
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a supply mission to the Arctic expedition 'Sever' located on a drifting ice floe near the North Pole (at N89.1500 W90.0000). On approach, while at a height of 15 meters, the aircraft pitched down and crashed in flames on the ice. All five occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and were slightly injured. The aircraft was quickly destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control on final was apparently the result of an error on part of a crew member who mistakenly activated the reverse thrust system, causing the aircraft to pitch down and crash.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal in the North Pole

Date & Time: May 21, 1926
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N-24
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ny-Ă…lesund - North Pole
MSN:
36
YOM:
1925
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to an expedition to the North Pole on behalf of the program of the Norwegian Scientist Roald Amundsen. The airplane departed Ny-Ă…lesund, in the Svalbard Archipelago, on a flight to the North Pole. After a flight of eight hours, the crew encountered engine problems and completed a safe landing on the ice. It is believed that the aircraft encountered problems on takeoff and landing as well. As the fuselage was damaged, it was decided to abandon the aircraft on the ice and the crew later returned to Norway with another Dornier Do J Wal registered N-25.
Crew:
Leif Ragnar Dietrichson, pilot,
Lincoln Ellsworth, navigator,
Oskar Omdal, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Engine problem.