What happened
During the landing preparations for runway 08, the crew observed a shift in wind direction from the east to the south. In response to this change, the captain elected to perform the landing on runway 26 instead. During the subsequent approach, the aircraft's rate of descent became insufficient, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around procedure.
As the aircraft was executing a right turn at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, it lost lift and descended into the Chukchi Sea, coming to rest roughly 300 yards from the runway. While both pilots survived the initial impact, one fatality occurred when one crew member drowned in the freezing 27° F water.
Findings
Investigations into the accident suggest that downdrafts located north of the runway likely caused the aircraft to settle during the maneuver. These downdrafts are a known occurrence when winds are blowing from the south. The presence of such atmospheric conditions is attributed to the high terrain that surrounds the airfield on all sides, with the exception of the northern approach.