Fatal Mountain Collision Involving Four-Engine Aircraft Near Elmendorf AFB (51-0107)

Incident Overview and Casualties A four-engine aircraft was operating a flight from McChord AFB to Elmendorf AFB when it struck the slope of Mt. Gannett, a peak 9,650 feet high, located approximately 53 miles east of Elmendorf. The aircraft was carrying 41 passengers and 11 crew members, for a total of 52 occupants. All 52 people on board were killed in the accident. ## Search, Recovery, and Identification Because the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, search and rescue operations were initiated. Poor weather conditions delayed the first rescuers from reaching the scene until November 28, six days after the accident. The wreckage was located on the Surprise Glacier, roughly 1,000 feet below the summit. The aircraft disintegrated on impact. On June 9, 2012, some debris was found, and on June 28, 2012, the wreckage was spotted again. Two years later, on June 18, 2014, the remains of 17 victims were identified and returned to their respective families for burial. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the information transmitted to the crew regarding the wind component was erroneous. The crew had been informed of strong winds gusting up to 40 knots from the west, but the wind was actually gusting up to 80 knots at the time of the accident. This caused the aircraft to drift off its prescribed flight path. The crew was unable to establish its real position due to low visibility caused by night and fog, and the absence of ground reference points. The accident is believed to have been the result of a controlled flight into terrain.