Harden RV-7 accident near Elim, AK
On June 10, 2009, a Harden RV-7 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Elim, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 10, 2009
- Place
- Elim, AK
- Aircraft
- Harden RV-7 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 64.638°N, 162.233°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090611X05717
Official records · ANC09FA052
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 9, 2009, about 1632 Alaska daylight time, an experimental Harden RV-7, N303BK, collided with terrain about .1 of a mile north of the Elim airport, Elim, Alaska. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were killed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Galena, Alaska, about 1422, with a planned destination of Nome, Alaska. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Personnel at Galena indicated that the pilot landed and fueled the airplane. They heard him call a friend in Nome, and indicate that he would arrive there between 1600 and 1630. The friend in Nome later reported that the pilot was overdue, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert notice (ALNOT). The wreckage was discovered about 1920 on June 10. Witnesses in Elim reported seeing and/or hearing a plane flying very low over the village, which is at a lower elevation than the airport. One estimated that the airplane was only a few feet above power lines, or about 30 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane flew over the airport and village twice. On the last time, it was heading east, and then turned to the north. They indicated that the engine sound was steady. Several stated that it was very foggy, and the visibility was poor. Investigators found no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of airman records revealed
Probable cause
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
