What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was returning to base at Adak Airfield after completing a maritime patrol mission. The descent phase began under challenging meteorological conditions characterized by rain, fog, a low cloud ceiling, and visibility limited to approximately two kilometers. During the final approach segment, the airplane lost control or failed to maintain altitude, impacting the surface of Kuluk Bay a few kilometers offshore. The impact resulted in the destruction of the airframe and the loss of all 10 crew members on board.
Findings
The official reporting officer attributed the accident to a combination of environmental and human factors. The primary contributing elements were the adverse weather conditions encountered during the approach. Additionally, significant pilot fatigue was identified as a critical factor, stemming from six months of continuous operational duties in the Aleutian region.