De Havilland DHC-3 accident near McGrath, AK
On August 28, 2004, a De Havilland DHC-3 (airplane) was involved in an accident near McGrath, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 28, 2004
- Place
- McGrath, AK
- Aircraft
- De Havilland DHC-3 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 63.172°N, 156.812°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040831X01327
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 27, 2004, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 airplane, N197TT, was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire when it collided with trees and mountainous terrain, about 1,400 feet msl, about 35 miles west of McGrath, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Exousia Inc., dba Mavrik Aire, Kenai, Alaska, as a flight of two airplanes, to transport hunting camp supplies from Kenai, Alaska, to Kotzebue, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, seated in the left front seat, received serious injuries. A pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right front seat, received fatal injuries, and a passenger seated behind the pilot received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions consisting of mist, fog, and smoke prevailed in the area of the accident. The flight originated at the McGrath Airport about 1526, with an intended intermediate destination of Unalakleet, Alaska. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. The operator, who was the pilot of one of the two de Havilland DHC-3 airplanes, reported to the FAA that the intended route of flight was from Kenai, to Port Alsworth, Alaska, to McGrath, and then to Unalakleet, Alaska, Buckland, Alaska, and then to Kotzebue. The purpose of the flight was to transport equipment and company personnel to a remote hunting camp near Kotzebue. After departing Kenai, both airplanes proceeded to Port Alsworth. The operat
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings due to smoke, rain, and mist.
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Browse: Alaska · De Havilland 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.
