Nome

During arrival, Ryan Air flight 2401 (Cessna 402, N12333) contacted Nome FSS and reported 15 miles west of Nome. The pilot was advised the weather at Nome was below basic VFR. The pilot requested a special VFR clearance. He was advised to remain in VFR conditions outside the control zone and to standby for a clearance. Later, when FSS personnel tried to contact flight 2401 to issue the clearance, there was no reply from the pilot. Subsequently, a search was initiated for the aircraft. Four days later, it was found where it had crashed at about 450 feet msl on the east edge of Sledge Island, approximately 18 miles west of Nome. An exam of the wreckage revealed the aircraft had crashed into rising terrain, while in level flight on a heading of about 250°. No preimpact mechanical problem was evident. The 1300 adt weather at Nome was in part: 400 feet overcast, visibility 2 miles with rain and fog, wind from 120° at 12 knots.

The aircraft departed during a break in the weather after having waited for a special VFR departure. His departure radio call was the last communication from the flight. The weather remained marginal with icing in the clouds and freezing drizzle. The aircraft was on a flight to transport a dentist and a technical assistant to area villages for US Health Dpt clinical work. There was no pressing or urgent need to adhere to a schedule if the weather dictated a postponement. Aircraft wreckage was located on the side of a mountain at 650 feet above msl. It had collided with an upgrade while in a descending turn. The aircraft broke apart and left wreckage for a distance of 493 feet before coming to rest. The pilot and one passenger remained in the wreckage. The right front passenger was ejected and located near the wreckage. Witnesses at the crash site noted ice 1/8 to 3/4 inches thick on the broken wings and airframe parts during the recovery.

According to the FAA specialist on duty at the Nome flight service station the pilot of Munz Northern flight 601 requested only the Ambler weather at 0030 gmt. The only surviving passenger stated that the flight departed Nome, AK at 1330 bst and as the flight continued north she could only see straight down and was nervous because the ground was so close. She further stated that the props changed their sound which related to the sound they made earlier in the flight when the aircraft climbed to clear a mountain. She also added that they were in whiteout conditions prior to impact and there were no mechanical irregularities that she was aware of. The pilot and a passenger were killed.

While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet in marginal weather conditions on a mail flight from Gambell to Nome, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

En route from Nome to Unalakleet, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. He decided to continue under VFR mode when the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The wreckage was found a day later in a remote area. All eight occupants were killed.

The airplane departed Nome on a VFR flight to Shishmaref, about 122 miles to the north. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls, limited visibility (night) and icing conditions. The airplane struck the slope of a mountain located to the north of Nome. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was found. The wreckage was localized on February 10, 1980. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants have been found dead.

While descending to Savoonga, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the ground few miles from the airstrip. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred in whiteout conditions (IMC conditions) with a 500 feet ceiling.

Shortly after takeoff from Anchorage-Intl Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed. A crew member was killed while two others were seriously injured.

After touchdown at Elim Airstrip, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with a snow bank and a snow removal machine. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft was engaged in a supply mission from Elmendorf AFB to Cape Lisburne with an intermediate stop in Nome, carrying supply for the local weather station. On approach, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and winds gusting up to 28 knots. Control was lost and the airplane crashed into the Chukchi Sea, about 150 feet offshore. All nine occupants were killed, among them two civilians.