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2004-01-02: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (N45008) — Larry's Flying Service — Koyukuk, United States of America

Koyukuk, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 2, 2004, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration N45008) operated by Larry's Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Koyukuk, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were fog and whiteout weather conditions. 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 1781200580Data APIEditorial standards

A Part 135 cargo flight, departing under VFR conditions, collided with a frozen river surface after the pilot lost sight of the destination due to deteriorating weather and attempted to return via river reference.

Accident Details

A Title 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight departed from an airport for a destination approximately 20 miles downriver. The departure airport reported visual meteorological conditions (VFR), but no weather reports were available for the route of flight.

Sequence of Events

Unable to locate the destination airport because of deteriorating weather, the pilot elected to return to the departure airport, using the river as a ground reference for navigation. While following the river, the airplane encountered fog and whiteout conditions. The airplane subsequently collided in-flight with the frozen surface of the river.

Weather Conditions

Weather at the departure airport was VFR at the time of departure. However, no reports of actual weather conditions along the intended route were available to the pilot. The pilot encountered fog and whiteout conditions, which obscured visibility and ground reference.

Probable cause

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were fog and whiteout weather conditions.

Related events

Same operator

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