What happened
During an approach to Deadhorse Airport, the flight crew encountered challenging meteorological conditions characterized by fog, snow, and blowing snow. As the aircraft reached the runway, it made contact with the pavement approximately 1,000 feet beyond the threshold. This initial impact caused the left wing to separate from the fuselage, leading to a loss of control.
As the plane traveled down the runway, which was coated in ice and snow, it veered toward the left side of the strip. The aircraft eventually came to a stop several hundred yards away from the runway surface, where it caught fire. Despite the destruction of the aircraft, all three crew members managed to evacuate the wreckage without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the co-pilot, who was acting as the pilot in command, failed to perform an appropriate level-off during the descent. Several environmental and operational factors contributed to the event, including:
- The failure to execute a go-around procedure despite deteriorating conditions
- Insufficient oversight of the flight operations
- A hard landing occurring 1,000 feet past the runway threshold
- Reduced visibility due to low ceilings and fog
- Hazardous runway surfaces consisting of snow and ice