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Crash of a Grumman C-1A Trader near Skwentna: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 2012 at 1557 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N27PH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wasilla – Nixon Fork Mine
MSN:
44
YOM:
1957
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Circumstances:
The airplane was destroyed when it collided with tree-covered terrain and incurred a postcrash fire and explosion about 19 miles west of Willow, Alaska. The airline transport rated
pilot, who was the only occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Fuel Services, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, and was being operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country fuel transport flight when the accident occurred. Marginal visual meteorological conditions were reported at the airplane's point of departure. The accident flight originated from the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 1520, en route to the Nixon Fork Mine, about 28 miles northeast of McGrath, Alaska. According to the co-owner of the airplane, the purpose of the flight was to transport approximately 900 gallons of diesel fuel to a company owned tank that supplies fuel for a mining operation. When the airplane did not arrive at its destination, the co-owner of the airplane reported it overdue to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 1757. After being notified of the overdue airplane, personnel from the 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center initiated a search for the missing airplane along its supposed route of flight. On the morning of October 16, an Air National Guard C-130 Hercules was able to locate the wreckage. Rescue personnel aboard a HH-60G helicopter were able to reach the site later that morning, and confirmed the pilot was deceased. Two witnesses reported seeing the airplane fly over their locations. The first witness saw the airplane as it was flying northwest at an altitude that he estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 feet under an overcast layer. He stated that the airplane did not sound "normal," but he did not notice anything unusual, like smoke, trailing the airplane. The second witness stated that he saw the airplane fly over his cabin headed southeast at an estimated altitude of 300 to 400 feet. He stated that the airplane sounded like it was "struggling," but he could not see anything abnormal about the airplanes appearance. Primary radar data taken from the Anchorage Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON), shows an unidentified aircraft, believed to be the accident airplane, depart the Wasilla airport about 1522. After departure, the track proceeded to the Northwest with cruising ground speeds of between 180 and 193 knots. No altitude or transponder code data was transmitted by the airplane. Around 1343 the radar track changed direction and proceeded to the southeast. Ground speeds after the track changed direction started at 143 knots, and gradually decreased to a low of 117 knots about 5 minutes before the accident. The last radar plot for the airplane was at 1556:47, approximately 5.5 nautical miles from the accident site, and showed a heading of 088 degrees, and a ground speed of 175 knots.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered from the accident site.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Skwentna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 2006 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N836KA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Galena - Anchorage
MSN:
604
YOM:
1954
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2700
Aircraft flight hours:
34896
Circumstances:
The private pilot and the sole passenger were in the first of two airplanes of a flight of two, operating as a personal flight under Title 14, CFR part 91. The pilot of the second airplane reported that both airplanes were in radio contact, and the accident airplane was about one mile ahead as they entered a mountain pass along the intended flight route. As the flight progressed, both airplanes descended due to deteriorating weather conditions as they neared the narrowest part of the pass. The second pilot said that visibility deteriorated to a point that it was difficult to discern topographical features, and he told the accident pilot that he was uncomfortable with the lack of visibility and was turning around. The second pilot stated that the accident pilot responded by saying, in part: "Turn around if you can... I am not able to." The second pilot indicated that the last time he saw the accident airplane was as it entered a cloudbank. During the accident pilot's final radio transmission, prompted by the second pilot's inquiry about how he was doing, he responded that he was just trying to get through the pass. No further radio communications were received from the accident airplane. There was no ELT signal, and the search for the airplane was unsuccessful until three days later. The wreckage was located at the 3,100-foot level of the mountain pass, in an area of steep terrain. Impact forces and a post crash fire had destroyed the airplane. During the IIC's on-site examination of the wreckage, no pre accident mechanical anomalies were discovered.
Probable cause:
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. A factor associated with the accident was a low cloud ceiling.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Skwentna: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1997 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N5164G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - Chelatna Lake
MSN:
506
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3350
Captain / Total hours on type:
2200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13864
Circumstances:
The pilot boarded the 4 passengers and cargo (unsecured) for a chartered flight to a fishing lodge. The floatplane departed uneventfully. About 45 min. later, while cruising about 1,700 feet above rugged terrain and a river, the engine began to lose power and the floatplane descended. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a small lake that was 1,200 ft. in length and located about 1 mile west of the river. During the approach to landing, the airplane stalled and impacted swampy terrain at the lake's edge in a steep nose down attitude. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the no.1 engine exhaust pushrod had failed in fatigue just below the top (valve) ball end. Examination of the pushrod revealed that material had been pushed away from the rod during installation of the ball end. The fatigue crack may have initiated from a score mark produced by the installation. Pushrod life is reduced due to surface scratches. The life of the failed pushrod could not be determined. Insufficient information exists in the overhaul manual regarding pushrod life/inspection.
Probable cause:
A loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the no.1 exhaust push rod. Factors contributing to the accident were: insufficient information on pushrod inspection and overhaul from the manufacturer, unsuitable terrain available for landing, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the approach which led to an inadvertent stall.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Skwentna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1981 at 1305 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N91083
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Galena - Anchorage
MSN:
207-0064
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3400
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Galena to Anchorage, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. While flying in whiteout conditions with snow falls, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed, killing both occupants.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Operator cautioned pilot against using mystic pass,
- Drug screen positive for cannabinoids and acetaminophen.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas VC-47D in Skwentna: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
45-0893
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmendorf – Nome
MSN:
16896/34153
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Enroute from Elmendorf AFB to Nome, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Skwentna Airport for an emergency landing. On short final, the airplane went out of control and crashed one mile short of runway. All 12 occupants were killed in the crash.
Probable cause:
Engine problems.