What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation traveling from Seven Islands to Menihek Airport, an aircraft carrying a significant quantity of flammable liquids experienced a loss of control. The payload consisted of 2,150 gallons of diesel, 800 gallons of Avgas, and 300 gallons of petrol.
As the crew attempted to land on the gravel runway, they were operating under conditions involving strong crosswinds. Upon making contact with the runway surface, the aircraft became unstable and drifted off the designated landing strip. The plane subsequently struck several rocks, which triggered a fire that consumed the airframe. Despite the intensity of the flames, both pilots managed to evacuate the wreckage without sustaining injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the resulting blaze.
Findings
- The primary factor in the incident was the difficulty of maintaining directional control during the landing phase due to intense crosswind conditions.