Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 24 September 1959
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-54B-1-DC (DC-4)
Owner/operator: Reeve Aleutian Airways
Registration Number: N63396
Location: Great Sitkin Island, AK –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16
Component Affected: DC-4 aircraftDC-4 aircraft
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
On July 17, 2023, at approximately 17:15 AST, a DC-4 aircraft crashed on Sitkin Island. The aircraft was flying 4500 feet on top in the clear, and was cleared to the Adak range for VFR approach. The crew subsequently advised cancellation of IFR and commenced VFR flight. Investigation revealed the aircraft crashed at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 meters). The probable cause was identified as the captain’s failure to maintain flight in accordance with visual flight rules during a descent over hazardous terrain.On July 17, 2023, at approximately 17:15 AST, a DC-4 aircraft crashed on Sitkin Island. The aircraft was flying 4500 feet on top in the clear, and was cleared to the Adak range for VFR approach. The crew subsequently advised cancellation of IFR and commenced VFR flight. Investigation revealed the aircraft crashed at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 meters). The probable cause was identified as the captain’s failure to maintain flight in accordance with visual flight rules during a descent over hazardous terrain.
Description
The DC-4 was some 300 miles northeast of Adak when the crew reported flying 4500 feet on top in the clear. The flight was then cleared to the Adak range to maintain VFR on top and to call Adak approach control some 30 minutes before landing. At 17:15 AST the crew advised the company that it was cancelling IFR and proceeding VFR. This was the last radio contact with the flight. The DC-4 was found to have crashed on Sitkin Island at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 m). PROBABLE CAUSE: “The captain’s failure to maintain flight in accordance with visual flight rules during a descent over hazardous terrain.”
Primary Cause
Captain’s failure to maintain flight in accordance with visual flight rules during a descent over hazardous terrain.Captain’s failure to maintain flight in accordance with visual flight rules during a descent over hazardous terrain.Share on:
