Piper PA-18-150 N1590R

Summary

On 26 August 1995 at about 19:00 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N1590R, operated by 40 Mile Air, Ltd, was involved in an accident near Deadhorse, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 1995 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Deadhorse, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

70.4296, -149.2903

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N1590R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

40 Mile Air, Ltd

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cub Strip → 185 Strip

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC95FA150

2 people died.

The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision by flying into a box canyon.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The Operator stated the pilot was supposed to transport two hunters from a small takeoff/landing area known locally as the 'Cub' strip to a larger takeoff/landing area known locally as the '185' strip. This would require the pilot to fly two trips. One hunter was transported, but the airplane did not return with the second hunter. The airplane wreckage was located in a box canyon at the 5000 foot level. The pilot and second hunter were on board. The entrance to the box canyon was narrow and rose consistently. The box canyon could not be recognized from the entrance due to an 'S' turn in the canyon. The terrain immediately below the wreckage rose at a 30 degree slope. The airplane crashed on a 15 degree slope. The area in which the airplane crashed was 300 feet wide and was surrounded by vertically rising terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.