What happened
On the morning of the accident, a flight departed from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) with the intent of delivering 3,400 gallons of unleaded fuel and two 100-gallon propane tanks to Kobuk Airport (OBU). Shortly after the departure at approximately 09:55, an observer noted that the far left engine of the aircraft type was not operating correctly and was emitting a small plume of white smoke. As the aircraft began a turn toward the south, the engine caught fire.
Approximately three minutes into the flight, the pilot notified air traffic control of the onboard fire and initiated a left turn to return to the departure airport. Surveillance footage captured white smoke trailing the No. 1 engine, which was followed by visible flames and a bright white explosion. Following this sequence, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent into the terrain. The No. 1 engine detached from the wing roughly 100 feet above the surface, landing on a frozen river. Data from the University of Alaska Fairbanks recorded an initial explosion at 1001, the aircraft impact at 1003, and a second large explosion at 1006. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities.
Findings
- An engine fire and subsequent explosion occurred behind the No. 1 engine shortly after takeoff.
- The aircraft experienced an uncontrolled descent following the engine failure and explosion.
- The separation of the No. 1 engine from the wing occurred just before ground impact.