On April 17, 1967, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation (registration N7777C) operated by Alaska Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to follow the approach check-list and forgot to lower the landing gear, causing the airplane to make a wheels-up landing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted in whiteout conditions at Kotzebue-Wien Memorial Airport. All 32 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Overview
An aircraft executed a wheels-up landing at Kotzebue-Wien Memorial Airport during whiteout conditions with very limited visibility. According to the official investigation, the approach was described as 'normal' until the airplane made contact with the runway surface on its belly. The aircraft slid for several hundred yards before coming to rest.
Evacuation and Damage
All 32 occupants aboard were evacuated from the aircraft. The airplane sustained damage beyond repair as a result of the belly landing and subsequent slide.
Investigation Findings
The probable cause determined by the official investigation states: 'The crew failed to follow the approach check-list and forgot to lower the landing gear, causing the airplane to make a wheels-up landing.'