What happened
During an approach under visual meteorological conditions, an aircraft crashed while attempting to land on runway 13 at Hooper Bay, Alaska. The impact occurred approximately 1,320 feet before reaching the runway threshold. The plane struck hard-packed snow and ice in a location situated roughly 700 feet from the shoreline of the Bering Sea. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage, no fire was reported following the impact.
The accident resulted in eight individuals—comprising the two pilots and six passengers—sustaining serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary factor in the accident was the flightcrew's failure to accurately calculate and understand the aircraft's weight and balance. Specifically, the crew operated the aircraft with a center of gravity located significantly behind its permitted limit, which led to a loss of control during the landing sequence.