Casualties unknown

1985-08-05: Piper PA-30 (N7811Y) — Kodiak, AK

Kodiak, AK, US

On August 5, 1985, a Piper PA-30 (registration N7811Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot on an IFR flight from Anchorage to Kodiak collided with a mountainside after losing radio contact. The crash occurred outside the approach path. Weather at the airport was reported as scattered clouds at 1000 ft and overcast at 3500 ft with 10 mi visibility.

Background

At 0719 ADT, the pilot received a weather briefing and was advised that VFR flight was not recommended. Later, at 0827, the pilot called the Flight Service Station to update the weather and filed an IFR clearance.

Flight

The aircraft departed Anchorage at 0938. During the arrival at Kodiak, the aircraft was cleared for an ILS/DME-1 approach to Runway 25. At 1056, the pilot reported being 8.5 DME miles north of Kodiak and level at 1600 ft. Shortly after that, radio contact was lost and the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) sounded.

Accident

The aircraft was later found where it had collided with a mountainside at an elevation of 1450 ft. The crash site was located approximately 5 miles north of the airport, outside of the area where the instrument approach would have taken the aircraft.

Weather

The 1057 weather observation at the airport reported: 1000 ft scattered, 3500 ft overcast, visibility 10 mi. The airport elevation was 73 ft MSL. The weather in the mountains where the plane crashed was not verified.

Pilot Information

This was the pilot's first approach to this airport. Radar service was not available. The pilot's log book was not found. Reportedly, he had not flown many recent approaches and was used to having radar assistance.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X37319. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.