Zone

Crash of a Beechcraft B200 King Air off Dutch Harbor

Date & Time: Jan 16, 2020 at 0806 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N547LM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dutch Harbor - Adak
MSN:
BB-1642
YOM:
1998
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6470
Captain / Total hours on type:
756.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7058
Circumstances:
According to the pilot, when the airplane’s airspeed reached about 90 knots during the takeoff roll, he applied back pressure to the control yoke to initiate the takeoff and noted a brief positive rate of climb followed by a sinking sensation. The airspeed rapidly decayed, and the stall warning horn sounded. To correct for the decaying airspeed, he lowered the nose then pulled back on the airplane’s control yoke and leveled the wings just before impacting the ocean. The pilot stated there were no pre accident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Wind about the time of the accident was recorded as 110º downwind of the airplane at 15 knots gusting to 28 knots. The passengers recalled that the pilot’s preflight briefing mentioned the downwind takeoff but included no discussion of the potential effect of the wind conditions on the takeoff. The airplane’s estimated gross weight at the time of the accident was about 769.6 pounds over its approved maximum gross weight, and the airplane’s estimated center of gravity was about 8.24 inches beyond the approved aft limit at its maximum gross weight. It is likely that the pilot’s decision to takeoff downwind and operate the airplane over the maximum gross weight with an aft center of gravity led to the aerodynamic stall during takeoff and loss of control. Downwind takeoffs result in higher groundspeeds and increase takeoff distance. While excessive aircraft weight increases the takeoff distance and stability, and an aft center of gravity decreases controllability. Several instances of the operator’s noncompliance with its operational procedures and risk mitigations were discovered during the investigation, including two overweight flights, inaccurate and missing information on aircraft flight logs, and the accident pilot’s failure to complete a flight risk assessment for the accident flight. The operator had a safety management system (SMS) in place at the time of the accident that required active monitoring of its systems and processes to ensure compliance with internal and external requirements. However, the discrepancies noted with several flights, including the accident flight, indicate that the operator’s SMS program was inadequate to actively monitor, identify, and mitigate hazards and deficiencies.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff downwind and to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight and center of gravity limits, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the inadequacy of the operator’s safety management system to actively monitor, identify, and mitigate hazards and deficiencies.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose near Dutch Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1996 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N660PA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anderson Bay - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
B138
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
8000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13381
Circumstances:
On August 11, 1996, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious Grumman G21-G, N660PA, is presumed to have been involved in a fatal accident about 20 miles south of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country on demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by Peninsula Airways Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, is presumed to have been destroyed. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the sole passenger are presumed to have received fatal injuries. Low ceilings were reported in the area of departure by the operator. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from Anderson Bay, on the Island of Unalaska, about 1610.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Dutch Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N95468
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nikolski – Dutch Harbor
MSN:
1140
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
16068
Captain / Total hours on type:
237.00
Circumstances:
En route from Nikolski to Dutch Harbor on a taxi mail flight, the twin engine seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Dutch Harbor. Pieces from a wing were found floating on water while the main wreckage and the two occupants were not found.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Dutch Harbor

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1979 at 1621 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N300JA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dutch Harbor - Anchorage
MSN:
24-282
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15756
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Dutch Harbor Airport, the airplane swerved then collided with rocks and the right side of the runway. The crew aborted the takeoff procedure but the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. All six occupants were injured, three of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Swerve on takeoff run and subsequent collision with objects after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Inadequate snow removal from runway on part of the airport supervisory personnel,
- Wet runway,
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Poorly maintained runway surface,
- Soft runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner II (G18S) in Dutch Harbor: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1976 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N600WA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cold Bay - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
BA-463
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
15868
Captain / Total hours on type:
3605.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Dutch Harbor, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane was too low and struck the ground few miles short of runway and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach following improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- CLGS below 1,000 feet,
- Areas of visibility below 3 miles in drizzle and fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air off Akutan Island

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1976 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2400X
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kenai - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
LJ-18
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6350
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the Aleutian Islands on a charter flight from Kenai to Dutch Harbor, the crew realized his fuel reserve was low and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off Akutan Island. All five occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculation of fuel consumption,
- Airways facilities,
- Pilot ditched the aircraft due to low fuel state,
- Driftwood Bay beacon inoperative due to antenna damage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R4D-1 in Dutch Harbor: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
01990
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dutch Harbor - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
4554
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Six minutes after take off from Dutch Harbor Airport, while climbing, the aircraft crashed on Mt Table Top. All ten crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Dutch Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7290
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dutch Harbor - Dutch Harbor
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Dutch Harbor, killing two crew members and injuring four others.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Dutch Harbor

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7286
Flight Phase:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed and burned on take off. Crew fate unknown.