Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 20 December 2000
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
Owner/operator: Everts Air Fuel
Registration Number: N1419Z
Location: 69 km SW of Kenai, AK – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: The C-46 aircraft’s fuel tank.The C-46 aircraft’s fuel tank.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
On August 31, 2000, a C-46 N1419Z aircraft, piloted by Captain Munsoon, experienced a fuel spill incident near Kenai, Alaska. The aircraft was en route home via Lake Clark Pass and was diverted due to deteriorating weather conditions. The wreckage was discovered at a steep ridge line approximately 10 miles southeast of Redoubt Volcano. The same aircraft had previously suffered a fuel spill incident at Kenai, Alaska, highlighting a potential pattern of issues with the aircraft’s fuel handling.On August 31, 2000, a C-46 N1419Z aircraft, piloted by Captain Munsoon, experienced a fuel spill incident near Kenai, Alaska. The aircraft was en route home via Lake Clark Pass and was diverted due to deteriorating weather conditions. The wreckage was discovered at a steep ridge line approximately 10 miles southeast of Redoubt Volcano. The same aircraft had previously suffered a fuel spill incident at Kenai, Alaska, highlighting a potential pattern of issues with the aircraft’s fuel handling.

Description

Curtiss C-46 N1419Z had delivered 2,000 gallons of fuel oil to Nondalton and was heading home to Kenai via Lake Clark Pass when the crew were forced to divert to a southern route to avoid poor weather. The wreckage was found the next day at 2,800 feet on a steep ridge line about 10 miles southeast of Redoubt Volcano. The same aircraft, N1419Z (also piloted by captain Munsoon) was involved in a fuel spill incident at Kenai, August 31, 2000. The C-46 Commando had just loaded 450 gallons of aviation fuel into its primary tank when Kenai Airport Fuel Service crews heard a loud popping noise and saw fuel leaking from the tank. The spill was quickly contained thanks to prompt action by the fueling crew, Everts Air employees and the fire services. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The flight crew’s decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident are high winds, turbulence, and low ceilings.”

Primary Cause

The flight crew’s decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.The flight crew’s decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.

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