Alaska Coastal Airlines

The pilot landed the amphibian landing gear equipped aircraft on water with the wheels extended, and the aircraft flipped over to an inverted attitude on touchdown. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

En route, the seaplane went into an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames in a glacier located in the region of Juneau. The wreckage was found few hours later in a crevasse and all nine occupants have been killed.

The aircraft flew into the water of Lynn Canal near Eldred Rock, 65 miles north-northwest of Juneau, Alaska, at approximately 1525LT. Six of the eight passengers and the pilot were seriously injured. One passenger died four days later. The aircraft, an amphibian, descended into the glassy water in cruising configuration from an established cruise altitude of approximately 200 feet. The aircraft received major damage from impact, sank, and was not recovered.

Alaska Coastal Airlines, a scheduled air carrier, is authorized to conduct operations throughout southeastern Alaska. On January 15, 1958, Captain Fred B. Sheldon departed from Juneau to fly Trip 40. Scheduled stops were planned at Angoon, Hood Bay, Baranof, Rodgers Point, Tenakee, and the flight was to terminate at the point of origin, Juneau. Weather reports for the area indicated conditions to be generally good, enabling the flight to be conducted according to visual flight rules. Ceilings were forecast to be 2,000 to 3,000 feet and winds near the surface were anticipated to be moderate and generally southwesterly. At least one mountain pass over the route was reported closed because of clouds. The gross takeoff weight of the aircraft at Juneau was calculated to be 5,237 pounds, approximately 4 pounds less than the maximum allowable. The load was correctly distributed within the center of gravity limitations. Flight 40 departed Juneau at 1301 and was routine to Angoon. After refueling, the flight continued uneventfully to Hood Bay, Baranof, Rodgers Point; arriving at Rodgers Point about 1520. About 1530, after the takeoff from Rodgers Point, a radio operator there advised the station agent at Tenakee (the next intended en route stop) that flight 40 was off the water and would need 20 gallons of fuel when it arrived. At approximately 1557 the agent at Tenakee heard a distress call from flight 40 over the radio. The pilot called “Mayday” and stated he was trying to make it to the flats in Kadashan Bay. The agent then called Flight 40 by radio asking its position. Sheldon’s final message was “ . . . the flats across from Tenakee.” Immediately thereafter the aircraft crashed. Both passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.

Flight 60 originated at Sitka, Alaska, with stops scheduled at Pelican City, Hoonah, and Juneau, the destination. Before departure from Sitka, the dispatcher in Juneau issued clearance for the flight to proceed DVFR (Defense Visual Flight Rules) to Hoonah and wait, if necessary, at that station for weather to improve in the Juneau area. The flight plan indicated estimated time from Sitka to Juneau, including stops, would be two hours and fifty minutes. Fuel consumption was estimated at 60 gallons, with 20 gallons re-serve upon arrival at Juneau. Gross weight of all disposable load at takeoff was 1,401 pounds, 30 less than the maximum allowable. The flight departed Sitka at 1153 with Captain James C. Rinehart (pilot), four passengers, cargo, mail, and baggage. The route between Sitka and Pelican City follows the North Pacific shore. The flight landed at Pelican City at 1235. Two passengers deplaned and 88 pounds of baggage, mail, and cargo were taken off; 159 pounds of cargo were added. The aircraft was not refueled. The pilot reported by radio that the flight departed Pelican City at 1305 en route to Hoonah. This was the last radio contact. When the flight became overdue at Hoonah, search operations were instituted. The Coast Guard was notified at 1655 and began search. At approximately 0800 the following morning, the pilot of a private aircraft located the wreckage in a mountain pass several miles southeast of Pelican City. A Coast Guard and civilian ground rescue party arrived the afternoon of November 5, rendered first aid to the two passengers, and stayed until the survivors and the body of the pilot were evacuated by helicopter on November 6.