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Crash of a Cessna 411 off Kodiak: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Viking Air Services
Registration:
N1EC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
King Salmon - Kodiak
MSN:
411-0094
YOM:
1965
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
90.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Kodiak on a taxi flight from King Salmon, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Shelikof Strait located off Kodiak. SAR operations were conducted and eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the aircraft was not recovered, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Whittier: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1978 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Alaska Travel
Registration:
N37741
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Anchorage - Whittier
MSN:
269
YOM:
1952
Location:
Whittier
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3125
Captain / Total hours on type:
106.00
Circumstances:
En route from Anchorage to Whittier, weather conditions worsened while the pilot was flying into a canyon. The single engine airplane lost height then crashed in a river bed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Sudden windshift,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Float equipped,
- No antenna for ELT.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Laboucher Bay: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N1045
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Laboucher Bay - Ketchikan
MSN:
1195
YOM:
1942
Location:
Laboucher Bay
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
5727
Captain / Total hours on type:
684.00
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Laboucher Bay (Summer Strait) while on a flight from Laboucher Bay to Ketchikan. Four dead bodies only were found. The wreckage was not found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be established.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Maxson Aviation
Registration:
N26641
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Red Dog
MSN:
134
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
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:
2641
Captain / Total hours on type:
510.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kotzebue to Red Dog, the engine failed due to icing. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing off airport on land when the airplane crashed in flames. The pilot escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Anti-icing/deicing equipment - improper operation or failed to use,
- Ice carburetor,
- Loss of engine power,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Pelican

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1978 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Southeast Skyways
Registration:
N8690
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Elfin Cove - Herbert Graves Island
MSN:
811
YOM:
1955
Location:
Pelican
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5150
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot entered a narrow channel at an altitude of 100 feet when he lost control of the aircraft that spiraled to the ground. The wreckage was found in the region of Pelican. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during normal cruise due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Flew to blind canyon,
- Float equipped,
- Entered narrow channel at 100 feet AGL.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Omalik: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1978 at 1418 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Aurora Air Services
Registration:
N1789U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Omalik - Galena - Fairbanks
MSN:
207-0389
YOM:
1977
Location:
Omalik
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6528
Captain / Total hours on type:
473.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its departure from Omalik, while flying at low altitude in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane hit obstacles and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pirep stated clouds obscured Windy Creek drainage area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose near Port Moller

Date & Time: May 12, 1978 at 1340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N1042
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Port Moller - Cold Bay
MSN:
B043
YOM:
1943
Location:
Port Moller
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2855
Captain / Total hours on type:
54.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from a lake located near Port Moller, the left wing float stayed in water, causing the seaplane to plunged into water. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Dragged wingtip during takeoff run due to improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Lagoon-open water,
- 33 hours PIC in type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Sparrevohn: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1978 at 1450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
63-7766
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elmendorf - Sparrevohn
MSN:
3832
YOM:
1963
Location:
Sparrevohn
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On approach to Sparrevohn Airfield, the four engine airplane crashed few hundred yards short of runway. It was destroyed upon impact, killing all seven occupants.

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

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1978 at 0752 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Chitna Air Service
Registration:
N4747S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cordova - Cordova Mile 13
MSN:
1142
YOM:
1958
Location:
Cordova
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Cordova Airstrip, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Registration:
N21AS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bethel - Kuskokwim River
MSN:
4004
YOM:
1968
Location:
Bethel
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1157
Captain / Total hours on type:
175.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bethel, en route to Kuskokwim River, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to poor/inadequate design on part of the production design personnel.
Final Report:
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