1991-03-18: Beech C-45H — Shageluk, AK

Casualties unknown • Shageluk, AK, US

Probable cause

THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY DETERMINE THE REQUIRED WIDTH OF RUNWAY NEEDED BY THEIR AIRPLANE AND INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW BERM AND THE COPILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF RUNWAY WIDTH.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GET CURRENT WEATHER AND AIRPORT INFORMATION PRIOR TO AND DURING FLIGHT CONCERNING THE RUNWAY AT SHAGELUK, ALASKA. THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION COULD NOT BE CONFIRMED AND THE FLIGHT SERVICE SPECIALIST DID NOT BELIEVE THE INFORMATION WAS CURRENT. UPON REACHING SHAGELUK, THE CREW OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT AND IT APPEARED TO BE SUITABLE FOR LANDING. UPON LANDING, THE LEFT PROPELLER STRUCK THE SNOW BERM AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED INTO THE BANK. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT CREW, THE RUNWAY WAS PLOWED ONLY 26 TO 35 FEET IN WIDTH.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-03-18 Beech C-45H accident near Shageluk, AK?

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GET CURRENT WEATHER AND AIRPORT INFORMATION PRIOR TO AND DURING FLIGHT CONCERNING THE RUNWAY AT SHAGELUK, ALASKA. THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION COULD NOT BE CONFIRMED AND THE FLIGHT SERVICE SPECIALIST DID NOT BELIEVE THE INFORMATION WAS CURRENT. UPON REACHING SHAGELUK, THE CREW OVERFLEW THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-03-18 involved a Beech C-45H, registration N400WA, at Shageluk, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY DETERMINE THE REQUIRED WIDTH OF RUNWAY NEEDED BY THEIR AIRPLANE AND INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW BERM AND THE COPILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF RUNWAY WIDTH.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16524. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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