1991-02-13: Boeing 737-200 — Markair, Inc. — Unalaska, AK

Casualties unknown • Unalaska, AK, US

Probable cause

THE WINDSHEAR ENCOUNTERED ON SHORT FINAL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RISING TERRAIN WITHIN 150 FEET OF THE RUNWAY, THE VARIABLE NATURE OF THE WIND DUE TO THE RISING TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LATERAL CONTROL DURING THE GO AROUND.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE RUNWAY ALIGNS FROM THE SOUTHEAST TO THE NORTHWEST AND WITHIN 150 FEET EAST OF THE RUNWAY IS A 1,634 FOOT HIGH MOUNTAIN. THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 14 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. THE LANDING THRESHOLD FOR RUNWAY 30 WAS DIRECTLY DOWNWIND OF THE MOUNTAIN. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE FIRST OFFICER NOTICED A PLUS 30 KNOT DEVIATION IN THE AIRSPEED AND CALLED FOR THE CAPTAIN TO INITIATE A GO AROUND. THE CAPTAIN HAD ALREADY APPLIED POWER WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SINK AND ROLL TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING TIP SCRAPED THE RUNWAY SURFACE DURING THE GO AROUND.

All Boeing 737-800 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-02-13 Boeing 737-200 accident near Unalaska, AK?

THE RUNWAY ALIGNS FROM THE SOUTHEAST TO THE NORTHWEST AND WITHIN 150 FEET EAST OF THE RUNWAY IS A 1,634 FOOT HIGH MOUNTAIN. THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 14 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. THE LANDING THRESHOLD FOR RUNWAY 30 WAS DIRECTLY DOWNWIND OF THE MOUNTAIN. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE FIRST OFFICER NOTICED…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-02-13 involved a Boeing 737-200, registration N672MA, operated by Markair, Inc., at Unalaska, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE WINDSHEAR ENCOUNTERED ON SHORT FINAL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RISING TERRAIN WITHIN 150 FEET OF THE RUNWAY, THE VARIABLE NATURE OF THE WIND DUE TO THE RISING TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LATERAL CONTROL DURING THE GO AROUND.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16389. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…