Piper PA-18-150 accident near Deadhorse, AK
On August 26, 1995, a Piper PA-18-150 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Deadhorse, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 26, 1995
- Place
- Deadhorse, AK
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 70.430°N, 149.290°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04116
NTSB summary
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
Probable cause
The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision by flying into a box canyon.
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Browse: Alaska · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
