Wien Air Alaska Flight 99: Fairchild F27B Crash at Gambell, Alaska (N4904)

Flight Details and Departure Wien Air Alaska Flight 99 was a regularly scheduled passenger and cargo flight operating a Fairchild F27B. The flight departed Nome, Alaska, at 1216 and landed at Savoonga at 1306. It then departed Savoonga at 1327 for Gambell, with an estimated en route time of 15 minutes. The aircraft carried 32 people: 28 passengers and 4 crewmembers. ## Approach and Weather Conditions The captain filed an IFR flight plan with the Nome Flight Service Station, requesting a route via Island Intersection to Savoonga and Gambell, with a return to Nome via the same intersection. The requested altitude was 12,000 feet, and the listed alternates were Galena and Nome. After takeoff from Savoonga, the crew identified the Gambell NDB and contacted the Wien agent at Gambell. The agent reported partial obscured sky, visibility of 1 to 1/2 miles, fog, a temperature of 47°, calm winds, and an altimeter setting of 29.70. The crew questioned the visibility, and the agent replied that it was sometimes about 5 miles but difficult to determine. ## Missed Approaches and Final Descent As the aircraft arrived in the Gambell area, the captain noted that fog appeared to be a problem. The crew made several attempts to land. Survivors and ground witnesses reported that the aircraft descended to a low altitude over the tundra south of the airport during one approach. During another approach, witnesses saw the aircraft make a low pass down the runway and then turn right out to sea before disappearing into the fog. Some survivors, including the flight attendant, believed the aircraft touched down on this approach. The CVR indicated that the crew had the runway in sight but decided to execute a missed approach because they were too far down the runway to land safely. FDR data showed the aircraft descended to within a few feet of the surface. The aircraft then turned right, flew north, and made a relatively steep right turn. The first officer stated that a 155° heading inbound would be perfect. Cockpit conversations indicated the flight passed the NDB on a heading of 140°. The captain called for final flaps and landing gear. ## Impact and Aftermath When last observed by ground witnesses, the aircraft was heading southeast. It flew over a beach and near boat racks about 240 yards northeast of the NDB, then passed over the eastern end of newly constructed houses just north of Troutman Lake, which is located between the runway and Sevuokuk Mountain. Witnesses stated the landing gear was lowered before the aircraft disappeared into the fog. A heading of 140° was maintained for about 28 seconds until the aircraft struck Sevuokuk Mountain at an altitude of 424 feet. Several passengers could see the ground and were aware of their position relative to Gambell. Some realized the aircraft was going to hit the mountain and braced themselves. Shortly after entering the fog and just before impact, some witnesses and survivors heard an increase in engine sound. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. Three crew members and seven passengers were killed. All other occupants were injured.