Accident Details
During an approach to Deadhorse Airport, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions. The airplane struck the runway surface 1,000 feet beyond the threshold. After the initial impact, the left wing was torn off, and the airplane went out of control. The runway was covered with snow and ice. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway before coming to rest in flames a few hundred yards farther. The aircraft was destroyed.
Crew and Injuries
All three crew members escaped uninjured.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be an improper level off on the part of the copilot who was in command. Contributing factors included:
- Failure to initiate a go-around
- Inadequate supervision of flight
- Low ceiling
- Fog
- Snow
- Blowing snow
- Hard landing 1,000 feet down the runway
- Left wing separation from the aircraft
- Runway covered by snow and ice