On February 1, 1983, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N8639V) operated by William Robideau was involved in an aviation accident near Melozi Hot Spgs, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft that departed a private airstrip without a flight plan was reported overdue. Wreckage was found on September 27, 1984, scattered near the bottom of a 1000-foot box canyon cliff, with the main fuselage in a lake. Moderate to severe turbulence was reported in the area.
Accident Details
An aircraft departed a private airstrip without filing a flight plan and was later reported overdue. The wreckage was discovered on September 27, 1984. Debris was scattered near the bottom of a 1000-foot box canyon cliff, and the main fuselage was found in a lake at the canyon's bottom. The elevation of the lake was 2700 feet, while the surrounding cliffs and peaks reached approximately 3700 feet.
Weather and Pilot Familiarity
Tanana Flight Service Station reported moderate to severe turbulence in the area at the time of the accident. A passenger who had flown into Melozi with the pilot and then deplaned stated that the pilot did not seem very familiar with the area.
Wreckage Recovery
No additional information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, or occupants is available from the source. The investigation details beyond the discovery of the wreckage are not provided.