What happened
On the morning of the accident, an aircraft departed Shemya Airport at 0810LT, bound for the Casco Grove Coast Guard Station (LORAN Station) on Attu Island. The intended flight duration was approximately 10 minutes. At the time of departure, meteorological conditions were relatively favorable, featuring visibility of eight miles and winds from 210 degrees at 20 knots, though cloud ceilings were as low as 400 feet.
Due to the brief nature of the mission, the crew did not perform an alignment of the aircraft's inertial navigation system before takeoff. As the flight progressed toward its destination, weather conditions worsened. During the approach to Casco Grove Airport, the captain attempted to maintain visual contact with the water surface while the navigator and co-pilot monitored radar data.
While maneuvering for arrival, the aircraft descended into a mountain slope situated roughly 3 miles southwest of the threshold of runway 02. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft type and a subsequent post-crash fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries among the occupants.
Findings
- The crew did not align the inertial navigation system prior to departure due to the short flight duration.
- The crew failed to maintain a safe altitude during the approach as weather conditions deteriorated.