Galena Air Service | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Galena: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1981 at 1632 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Registration:

N66856

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hughes - Galena

MSN:

31-7405164

YOM:

1974

Location:

Galena

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4850

Captain / Total hours on type:

99.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Galena Airport, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around with flaps full down. The twin engine airplane began a slight climb then entered a steep turn to the left and crashed near the runway threshold. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground during a go-around due to powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- The pilot-in-command misused flaps,
- Possible magneto failure on the right engine.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Rainy Pass: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Operator:

Registration:

N6405H

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Anchorage - Galena

MSN:

207-0512

YOM:

1979

Location:

Rainy Pass

Alaska

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1500

Captain / Total hours on type:

150.00

Circumstances:

En route from Anchorage to Galena, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling. Lost and disoriented, he flew into a blind canyon when he saw high obstructions. While initiating an evasive maneuver to avoid collision, he made a steep turn to the left when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in flames in a mountainous terrain located about 125 miles northwest from the city of Anchorage. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. On September 2, 1980, the burnt wreckage was found near Rainy Pass.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot became lost and disoriented. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- The pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot flew into blind canyon,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- In-flight steep left turn,
- Recovery date September 2, 1980.

Final Report: