Incident Overview
A twin-engine airplane crashed near Galena, Alaska, after the pilot lost control during an approach. The aircraft was completing a flight from Fairbanks to Nome with intermediate stops in Gulkana and Galena. The pilot was killed, and all five passengers were seriously injured.
Sequence of Events
On approach to Galena, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions, including low ceiling, fog, and snowfall that reduced visibility to 1,000 feet. While flying under visual flight rules (VFR) on final approach, he was unable to locate the runway and realized he was facing the tower. He initiated a turn to avoid collision but lost control of the airplane, which subsequently crashed near the runway.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official probable cause was improper flight decisions on the part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions.
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision.
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed.
- Low ceiling, fog, and snow.
- Inadequate preflight preparation.
- Improperly loaded aircraft.
- No weather briefing received.
- Low level VFR approach to an IFR airport.
- Turned to avoid tower and stalled.
- Passengers obtained a partial weather briefing.
- Over maximum gross weight.