Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise near Nome

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1993 at 2021 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N900YH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel - Nome
MSN:
584
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11150
Captain / Total hours on type:
512.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6725
Circumstances:
After making a refueling stop, the pilot took off at night and was cruising at FL200. After about 30 minutes of flight, the right engine fuel filter bypass warning light illuminated. About 2 minutes later, the same warning light for the left engine illuminated. Soon thereafter the right engine, then the left engine, lost power. The pilot made a forced landing on a moving ice pack in the Bering sea, which resulted in substantial damage. Ice was found in the engine and main fuel screens. Significant amounts of water and/or ice were found in 3 tanks, which had been refueled before takeoff. A higher than normal amount of water was also found in the fuel sample taken from the nozzle of the refueling tanker. The flight manual required that an approved ice inhibitor be added to the fuel, if not premixed. Fuel at the refueling stop was not premixed and the pilot had no icing inhibitor (prist) with him on this flight. He did not drain fuel from the tanks during preflight, since the temperature was so cold he feared the drain might freeze open.
Probable cause:
Fuel starvation due to improper refueling procedures by the fbo personnel, inadequate preflight by the pilot, and resultant ice in the fuel, which blocked fuel flow to the engines. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3A Variant 200 in Bethel: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1992 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N20086
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bethel - Chevak
MSN:
1918
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6390
Circumstances:
The airplane rolled 200-300 feet before becoming airborne in a very nose high attitude. It maintained this attitude, made a right, then a left bank, and fell to the ground in a nose high attitude. The cargo consisted of eight 55-gallons drums of fuel, laid on their side and secured by one cargo strap running fore and aft and another cargo strap running diagonally across the barrels. The tie down ring ultimate strength rating was 1,600 pounds. The weight of the cargo was 2,863 pounds. Three of the cargo hooks associated with the cargo straps were found still attached to the tie down rings, and one hook and tie down ring were not located. Post-impact fire destroyed the cargo straps, and the barrels were strewn randomly through the cabin/cargo area. According to the manufacturer, the davis tie down ring installation is not approved by the manufacturer. The modification should have been accomplished under a supplemental type certificate. The logbooks showed only an entry. The certificated max gross weight was calculated to have been exceeded by 324.8 lbs. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate security of the cargo which shifted rearward during the takeoff roll. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the over gross weight condition, and the improper alteration of the tie down rings by the overhauling maintenance facility.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 100 in Kako Mine

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1990 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N50GA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel - Kako Mine
MSN:
1856
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3236
Captain / Total hours on type:
977.00
Aircraft flight hours:
15689
Circumstances:
The non-scheduled, all cargo, air taxi flight was landing at the mining strip and upon touchdown the pilot-in-command released the yoke with his left hand and grabbed the nose steering tiller. The pilot-in-command stated that before he could apply reverse thrust, the nose of the airplane came up off the ground and the airplane began to veer to the right. He applied left rudder and power to the right engine, but the airplane left the right side of the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane through the touchdown and landing phase.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Nightmute: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1987 at 1415 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N54265
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bethel - Nightmute
MSN:
31-7405213
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7040
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3750
Circumstances:
The aircraft was destroyed when the aircraft struck a 350 foot high hill along its route. This flight was a part 135 on-demand air taxi cargo flight. Several other air taxi operators and company aircraft elected to cancel their flights. Both ground reports and pilot reports stated the weather in the area of the accident was ceilings below 500 feet and visibility less than one mile. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) vfr flight into imc - intentional - pilot in command
3. (c) weather condition - fog
4. (c) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (c) weather evaluation - misjudged - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1985 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9241F
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel - Chevak
MSN:
208-0006
YOM:
1985
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3009
Captain / Total hours on type:
154.00
Aircraft flight hours:
860
Circumstances:
A total loss of power was experienced on takeoff due to the fuel selector being in the off position. The pilot attempted to restart the engine during which time the aircraft entered a stall and collided with the terrain. According to passengers the pilot did not use a checklist nor where the passengers briefed before the flight. The wreckage was visible from the airport control tower but was not located until several hours after the accident by air search. Two passengers were seriously injured while a third passenger and the pilot were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. Fluid,fuel - starvation
2. (c) fuel tank selector position - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
4. Aircraft service - not used - pilot in command
5. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
6. Passenger briefing - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
7. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
8. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
9. (c) diverted attention - pilot in command
10. Stall - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
11. Terrain condition - snow covered
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Paimiut

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1980 at 1920 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1712U
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel - Holy Cross
MSN:
207-0312
YOM:
1976
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1655
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
En route from Bethel to Holy Cross, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engine that oversped and failed. He reduced his altitude and completed an emergency landing in Paimiut. The pilot escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during normal cruise due to inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure: other,
- Lack of lubrication - specific part, not system,
- Material failure,
- inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Propeller and accessories: governors,
- RPM-uncontrollable-overspeed,
- Rough terrain,
- Complete engine power loss,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- N°4 main bearing turned, lube passages not aligned,
- Crankcase halves loose,
- Oil very black, tarry.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Napaskiak

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1978 at 0920 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N18AA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Napaskiak - Bethel
MSN:
207-0406
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While taking off at Napaskiak Airfield, the engine failed. The aircraft crash landed, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured or with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Soft runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N21AS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bethel - Kuskokwim River
MSN:
4004
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1157
Captain / Total hours on type:
175.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bethel, en route to Kuskokwim River, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to poor/inadequate design on part of the production design personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander near Toksook Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1978 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N869JA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bethel - Tununak
MSN:
120
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1783
Captain / Total hours on type:
179.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions (whiteout conditions) on a cargo flight from Bethel to Tununak, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- VFR flight plan,
- Aircraft in area during same time period reported poor visibility due to snow squalls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 in Toksook Bay

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1977 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N64AC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel -Toksook Bay
MSN:
1849
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
1605.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Toksook Bay Airport, the crew encountered whiteout conditions with fog and snow falls. While descending under VFR mode, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a snow covered area located short of runway. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on approach after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility less than two miles,
- Weather reports not available for Toksook Bay,
- Wind gusting 20 knots.
Final Report: