Grumman G21A N741

Summary

On 21 March 1994 at about 15:15 local time, a Grumman G21A registered N741, operated by State of Alaska, was involved in an accident near Mt. Fairweather, Canada. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 1994 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Mt. Fairweather, Canada

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Grumman G21A

Registration

N741

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

State of Alaska

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Juneau → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC94GA041

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION IN ATTEMPTING TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN WITH THE EXISTING AIRPLANE CLIMB PERFORMANCE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, THE OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, HIGH TERRAIN, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLYING EXPERIENCE, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS AIRMANSHIP ABILITY, QUESTIONABLE TESTING OF THE PILOT'S FLYING COMPETENCY AND PROFICIENCY, AND THE STATE OF ALASKA'S INADEQUATE OVERSIGHT OF THE AVIATION PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWED MANAGEMENT TO DISREGARD THEIR OWN REGULATIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE STATE-OPERATED AMPHIBIAN WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN AND IMPACTED THE MARGERIE GLACIER, COMING TO REST AT 9,650 FT MSL. PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN SINCE LAST PROFICIENCY CHECK ON 11/27/93. PILOT'S CHECKS WERE CONDUCTED BY A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE WHO REPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE PILOT. PILOT DID NOT PERFORM WEIGHT & BALANCE. AIRPLANE 1,403 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, 80 LBS OF FROZEN WATER WAS FOUND IN THE BILGES OF THE HULL. AT THE POWER AND CARB AIR TEMP SETTINGS USED BY THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE REACHED MAX PERFORMANCE AT APRX 5,000 FT MSL. INVESTIGATION DELEGATED TO THE U.S. BY CANADA.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.