Incident Details
The aircraft experienced a dual engine failure during a night flight and crashed while attempting an emergency landing. The pilot had earlier secured the right engine after noticing decreasing oil pressure and a visible oil leak. At that time, there were seven airports within range. The pilot informed an air traffic control specialist at Northway that he intended to continue toward Fairbanks and would divert to Big Delta if further problems occurred. The segment between Tanacross and Big Delta, spanning 74 miles, had no suitable landing areas.
Engine Failure and Crash
After securing the left engine later, the pilot tried to reach the Alaska Highway but crashed in a wooded area. The investigation examined both engines. The right engine's nose case seal was found blown out. The left engine's oil cooler was ruptured. Both engine breather tubes were frozen solid with ice for five inches above the normal discharge opening. Neither breather tube had pressure relief holes, and an alternate breather tube had not been installed.
Investigation Findings
Post-crash examination revealed that both engine breather tubes were frozen full of ice for a length of five inches above the normal discharge opening. The right engine had a blown-out nose case seal, and the left engine had a ruptured oil cooler. The investigation noted that there were no pressure relief holes in either breather tube, and that an alternate breather tube was not installed.