What happened
A transport mission intended to deliver supplies to a remote weather station resulted in a fatal accident. The flight originated at Elmendorf AFB and was scheduled for an intermediate stop in Nome before proceeding to its final destination at Cape Lisette. During the approach phase, the aircraft encountered hazardous meteorological conditions characterized by low cloud ceilings and wind gusts reaching 28 knots.
As the crew navigated these difficult conditions, the aircraft experienced a loss of control. The plane subsequently impacted the surface of the Chukchi Sea, approximately 150 feet from the shoreline. The accident resulted in nine fatalities, which included two civilian passengers and the flight crew.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the encounter with adverse weather conditions involving low visibility and high wind gusts during the approach.