On September 17, 1978, a Cessna 411 (registration N1EC) operated by Viking Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, United States of America in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Due to lack of evidences as the aircraft was not recovered, the cause of the accident could not be determined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Shelikof Strait while approaching Kodiak on a taxi flight from King Salmon. Search efforts were suspended after days with no trace of the aircraft or its three occupants found. The cause remains undetermined.
Accident Overview
A twin-engine airplane was on a taxi flight from King Salmon to Kodiak when it crashed in the Shelikof Strait off Kodiak. The Shelikof Strait is a body of water between the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island. The specific circumstances of the crash are unknown.
Search and Rescue Operations
Search and rescue operations were launched after the aircraft went missing. Over the course of several days, search crews covered the area but found no trace of the aircraft or its three occupants. The search was eventually suspended without any debris or survivors being located.
Investigation and Findings
The official investigation was hampered by the complete absence of physical evidence. Because the aircraft was never recovered, investigators could not determine the cause of the accident. The probable cause statement reflects that due to lack of evidence, the cause remains undetermined.