No fatalities

Smoke in Cockpit Leads to Crash on Final Approach at Anchorage (N2854T)

Anchorage-Ted Stevens Intl, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On November 8, 1972, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) (registration N2854T) operated by Lee's Air Taxi was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage-Ted Stevens Intl, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fire on board from undetermined source. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

During a training flight, smoke appeared in the cockpit of a single-engine airplane on final approach. The aircraft lost altitude, struck a dirt bank, and caught fire after landing near the runway threshold. The pilot escaped without injury.

Incident

A local training flight at Anchorage-Intl Airport ended in a crash when smoke spread through the cockpit during the final approach. The single-engine airplane lost height, struck a dirt bank, and came to rest in flames near the runway threshold. The sole pilot on board escaped uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause of the accident is a fire on board from an undetermined source.

Factors

The investigation reported the following factors: the pilot misjudged distance and speed, the pilot delayed in initiating a go-around, and issues with the electrical system, including generators and protective devices, as well as circuit breakers that popped.