Zone
Alaska

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon on Sitkinak Island

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1970 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N91117
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sitkinak Island - Kodiak
Location:
Sitkinak 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
Captain / Total flying hours:
1360
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Sitkinak Island Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed at the edge of the runway. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed and failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Unfavorable winds conditions,
- Pilot attempted max performance takeoff in Robertson STOL aircraft,
- Quartering crosswind at 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon into the Pacific Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Registration:
N7266C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bethel - Kodiak
MSN:
15-1191
YOM:
1944
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2640
Circumstances:
While on a flight from Bethel to Kodiak, the airplane disappeared in the North Pacific Ocean. SAR were conducted but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, it was not possible to determine the possible cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kodiak: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1967 at 0751 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Harveys Flying Service
Registration:
N80194
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-175
YOM:
1946
Location:
Kodiak
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:
8726
Captain / Total hours on type:
38.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff from Kodiak Airport, the twin engine airplane struck a gravel pile, stalled and crashed, killing both occupants. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to foggy conditions.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain a sufficient flying speed for takeoff and the first portion of takeoff run was in fog at south end of runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7S Neptune near Cape Newenham: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
135610
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak - Kodiak
MSN:
726-7046
Location:
Cape Newenham
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While conducting a coastal patrol mission out from Kodiak, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 3 miles southeast of Cape Newenham. All 12 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt L. D. Wilson, pilot,
LCDR R. H. Walker, copilot,
Lt W. A. Dotson,
Lt R. A. Myers, navigator,
Lt D. M. Smith, navigator,
ADR1 H. M. Ley, mechanic,
ADR3 B. J. Crum, mechanic,
AE3 T. S. Gould, mad operator,
ATN2 Laugesen, technician,
AXAN M. McDaniel, technician,
AN J. L. LYONS, technician,
AO2 H. Brantley, ordnance.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune in Kodiak: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
135559
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak - Kodiak
MSN:
726-7016
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While approaching Kodiak Airport following a maritime patrol flight over the North Pacific, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. The airplane struck the north face of the Mt Old Womens located few miles short of runway. Five crew members were rescued while seven others were killed.
Those killed were:
Lt William M. Carter,
John Anthony Cole,
Lt Paul W. Dannell,
Russel S. Feldmann,
Merlin J. Haas,
Lt Richard T. Healy,
Charles A. Treat.

Crash of a Martin P5M-2S Marlin on Montague Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Martin P5M-2 Marlin
Operator:
Registration:
140144
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak - Kodiak
Location:
Montague Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The seaplane (VP-45) departed Kodiak that day on a maritime patrol flight over the gulf of Alaska. While cruising at low height in limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the south part of the Montague Island. The wreckage was found a day later and all 10 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II near Homer: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
Operator:
Registration:
50-0111
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
McChord – Kodiak
MSN:
43249
YOM:
1950
Location:
Homer
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from McChord AFB, Washington, to Kodiak, with a load of various goods for a total weight of 34,500 pounds. While approaching the Kenai Peninsula, the crew informed ATC about engine problems and elected to divert to Anchorage. Few minutes later, the captain reported he was unable to maintain a safe altitude when, at an altitude between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Petrof Glacier, about 26 miles southeast of Homer. The wreckage was found a day later and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported the aircraft suffered a double engine failure in flight for unknown reason.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune off Kodiak: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
135566
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
726-7022
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kodiak Airport, the airplane crashed into the sea for unknown reason, killing all nine crew members. The airplane was returning to Kodiak following a maritime patrol flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL on Sitkinak Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-15594
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak – Elmendorf
MSN:
20060
YOM:
1944
Location:
Sitkinak Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While flying in low visibility (marginal weather conditions ?), the airplane hit the slope of a mountain located on Sitkinak Island. All ten occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-23-FA Flying Boxcar in Alaska: 20 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-2570
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kodiak – Elmendorf
MSN:
10528
YOM:
1950
Location:
Alaska
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Kodiak to Elmendorf AFB, taking part to the 'Warmwind' exercice. En route, the airplane disappeared in unclear circumstances. As it failed to arrive in Elmendorf, extensive SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended a month later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 20 occupants was found.
Probable cause:
In the absence of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident, apparently following issues with radio frequencies between two stations. Following this second accident in Alaska in one week and the third involving a C-119 in the same period, the US government reclaimed funds to modernize the ATC infrastructure in Alaska and to equip the area with VHF beacons.
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