Flight Details
Alaska Coastal Airlines, a scheduled air carrier authorized to operate throughout southeastern Alaska, operated Trip 40 on January 15, 1958. Captain Fred B. Sheldon departed Juneau at 1301 with scheduled stops at Angoon, Hood Bay, Baranof, Rodgers Point, and Tenakee, before returning to Juneau. Weather reports indicated generally good conditions suitable for visual flight rules; ceilings were forecast at 2,000 to 3,000 feet with moderate southwesterly winds near the surface. However, at least one mountain pass along the route was reported closed due to clouds. The aircraft's gross takeoff weight at Juneau was 5,237 pounds, approximately 4 pounds below the maximum allowable, and the load was correctly distributed within center of gravity limits.
Accident Sequence
The flight was routine to Angoon, where refueling occurred. It continued to Hood Bay, Baranof, and Rodgers Point, arriving at Rodgers Point about 1520. At approximately 1530, after takeoff from Rodgers Point, a radio operator there advised the station agent at Tenakee that Flight 40 was off the water and would require 20 gallons of fuel upon arrival. Around 1557, the agent at Tenakee heard a distress call from Flight 40. The pilot called "Mayday" and stated he was trying to reach the flats in Kadashan Bay. The agent requested the flight's position, and Sheldon's final message was "... the flats across from Tenakee." Immediately thereafter, the aircraft crashed. Both passengers were injured, and the pilot was killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation found no evidence of mechanical or structural failure. It was determined that one fuel tank was out of use, resulting in the aircraft not complying with the requirements of Bulletin 7A under which it was certificated for passenger-carrying service. The pilot did not plan the flight with an adequate fuel reserve, and a longer alternate route had been necessitated by unfavorable weather. The aircraft exhausted its fuel supply and crashed.
The air carrier's operations manual was incomplete and not maintained current as required by regulations. The company did not provide adequate supervision or control over flight planning or clearance of flights. Additionally, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) safety inspection program was deemed ineffective in ensuring the carrier operated at a level of safety appropriate for its certificate.
Probable Cause
The Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the poor flight planning by the pilot and his poor judgment in allowing the aircraft to run out of fuel. A contributing factor was the lack of adequate organization and management of the air carrier’s operations to ensure that all flights were planned and conducted with safety.