Accident Details
A Douglas DC-6B airplane was conducting a GPS instrument approach under IFR conditions. Light snow showers were present, with reported visibility of 4 miles. The runway was 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. During final approach, as the airplane passed over the runway threshold, a higher than normal sink rate was encountered. The initial touchdown was described as "firm" but was thought to be within acceptable tolerances. Immediately after touchdown, the left wing separated from the airplane at the wing-to-fuselage attach point. The airplane veered left, departed the left side of the runway, descended down an embankment, and came to rest in an area of wet, tundra-covered terrain.
Flight Crew
Both pilots held valid certificates and type ratings for the Douglas DC-6B. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, was a senior check airman for the company and possessed a right seat dependency endorsement. The second pilot, seated in the left seat, had less experience in the DC-6B. It had been previously agreed that the second pilot would be the flying pilot for the leg on which the accident occurred.
Approach and Accident Sequence
The minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 400 feet msl (383 feet agl). The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured the following exchanges: As the airplane progressed along the approach, the first pilot stated, "You're only one mile from it....Take it on down ah three." As the airplane passed over the runway threshold, the first pilot said, "Keep that, keep that (expletive) power off.... Just push forward on the nose." The sound of impact was heard 4 seconds later. A contract weather observer reported lower ceilings and approximately 1 mile visibility over the approach end of the runway at the time of the accident.
Postcrash Events
A postcrash fire heavily damaged the center section of the fuselage. The airplane came to rest in wet, tundra-covered terrain after departing the runway.