No fatalities

Four-Engine Airplane Strikes Obstacle During Night Approach to Inigok Airstrip (N403GN)

Inigok, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 5, 1979, a Lockheed L-188 Electra (registration N403GN) operated by Great Northern Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Inigok, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Undershot on final approach and crashed after the copilot misjudged distance and altitude. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a night approach to Inigok Airstrip, a four-engine airplane struck an obstacle, undershot the runway, and crashed in flames. All 15 occupants escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Official findings attributed the accident to a misjudgment of distance and altitude by the copilot.

Incident Details

During a night approach to Inigok Airstrip, the pilot-in-command failed to realize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient. The four-engine airplane subsequently struck an obstacle on the final approach path, undershot the runway, and crashed in flames. All 15 occupants escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Official Findings

According to the official probable cause, the accident resulted from an undershoot on final approach after the copilot misjudged distance and altitude. The reported contributing factors included inadequate supervision of the flight by the captain, a failure to initiate a go-around, a poorly planned approach, and an overload failure.