DEADHORSE, AK, USA
N1590R
PIPER PA-18-150
The Operator stated the pilot was supposed to transport two hunters from a small takeoff/landing area known locally as the 'Cub' strip to a larger takeoff/landing area known locally as the '185' strip. This would require the pilot to fly two trips. One hunter was transported, but the airplane did not return with the second hunter. The airplane wreckage was located in a box canyon at the 5000 foot level. The pilot and second hunter were on board. The entrance to the box canyon was narrow and rose consistently. The box canyon could not be recognized from the entrance due to an 'S' turn in the canyon. The terrain immediately below the wreckage rose at a 30 degree slope. The airplane crashed on a 15 degree slope. The area in which the airplane crashed was 300 feet wide and was surrounded by vertically rising terrain.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 26, 1995, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N1590R, registered to and operated by 40 Mile Air LTD., collided with terrain in a box canyon in the Brooks Mountain Range located approximately 105 miles southeast of Deadhorse, Alaska. The air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed a small takeoff/landing area known locally as the "Cub" strip located on a mountain top. The destination was a larger takeoff/landing area known locally as the "185" strip which was located in a nearby valley. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot and his passenger received fatal injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the Company, the airplane was supposed to pickup two hunters and transport them to the "185" airstrip. This would require the pilot to complete two trips from the "Cub" strip to the "185" strip. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control records show that the airplane departed the Deadhorse Airport at 0910. According to a hunting partner, who departed the "Cub" strip first, the airplane arrived between 1030 and 1100; he was not sure of the exact time. He discussed the loading of the airplane and field elevation with the pilot. They loaded the airplane and they took off. The hunting partner stated that he fastened his seatbelt, did not put on the shoulder harness, wore the helmet but did not fasten the chin strap. He did not receive a passenger briefing from the pilot. He stated during the interview that he paced the takeoff area and estimated it to be approximately 300 feet. He stated that the airplane lifted off approximately 210 feet after starting the takeoff roll. During the flight from the "cub" strip to the "185" strip, the pilot saw sheep on a mountain side and circled the sheep. The hunting partner stated there was no wind and no turbulence except for one bump. The pilot landed the airplane and discharged the passenger and returned to pickup the other hunting partner. The airplane did not return to the "185" strip. The "185" strip is located approximately 10 miles west of the "Cub" strip. The wreckage was located in a box canyon at the 5000 foot level, at geographic coordinates 68 degrees, 45.24 minutes north, 145 degrees, 45.4 minutes west. WITNESSES The hunting partner, who was waiting at the "185" strip, located at geographic coordinates 68 degrees, 44 minutes north, 146 degrees, 06 minutes west, neither saw or heard the airplane after it departed to pickup his hunting partner. INJURIES TO PERSONS Both occupants received fatal injuries. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT The airplane sustained substantial damage. The engine compartment and lower cowling, was crushed upward. The engine was twisted to the right on the engine mounts. The propeller separated from the engine. Both wings sustained leading edge crushing. The wing struts were bent in numerous places. The cabin roof was compressed downward and the right side of the cabin was bent outward. The cabin section of the airplane was twisted to the right slightly. The empennage was undamaged. The main landing gear and wheels were both sticking out of the left side of the wreckage. PERSONNEL INFORMATION During a telephone conversation with the operator on August 28, 1995, the operator stated the pilot had been flying the Cessna 185 airplane in the Deadhorse area for a while. This was the pilot's first season operating the PA-18 airplane into unimproved strips. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the operator indicated that the airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-C3A engine which was converted to an A2B. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The nearest weather reporting facility is located 105 miles northwest of the accident site. The hunting partner, who was transported first, stated that the weather was clear and visibility unlimited. The hunting partner is a certificated pilot. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was located in a box canyon at the 5000 foot level. The rising terrain in front of the wreckage rose at a 15 degree slope to 5500 feet. The terrain then rose vertically to approximately 6000 feet. The entrance to the box canyon is narrow and does not allow a view into the entire canyon because of the "S" turn. The canyon makes a left turn then a right turn where the terrain widens slightly, but also rises more rapidly. The slope immediately down slope of the wreckage was a 30 degree slope. The width of the area in which the airplane wreckage was located was approximately 300 feet. Both sides were bounded by very steep, rising terrain. The terrain surface was composed of rock, gravel, dirt, and muskeg. The airplane came to rest on a heading of 100 degrees. Examination of the airplane showed that all flight control surfaces were attached to the airplane in their respective positions. Flight control continuity was established. Both wings remained attached to the cabin roof were resting at an angle forward of their normal respective positions. The cabin roof was collapsed. The propeller separated from the engine and was found in front of the main wreckage. The propeller was embedded in the ground approximately 6 to 20 inches. There were propeller slash marks in the ground leading from the wreckage to the propeller location. The slash marks, when excavated, had bits and pieces of propeller blade material. One propeller blade was missing the outer one half of the blade. The remaining portion of the blade had chordwise scoring and the leading edge was gouged. The other blade was bent and also showed chordwise scoring. Further detailed examination of the wreckage could not be accomplished due to the onset of darkness and the rescue helicopter's departure. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy was conducted by the State of Alaska, Chief Medical Examiner, Michael T. Propst, M.D., 550 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska, 99507. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The passenger, seated in the rear seat, had shot a sheep and was holding the sheep's head and cape on his lap. The other cargo in the airplane consisted of a small tent pack, a rifle, and a backpack. The hunting partner, who was transported first, stated that the airplane fuel gauge showed that the right fuel tank was at half capacity. He was unable to see the fuel quantity in the left tank.
The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision by flying into a box canyon.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
