Grumman G-44 N139F
2 September 1998 · Dillingham, Alaska, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 2 September 1998 at about 18:02 local time, a Grumman G-44 registered N139F, operated by Fresh Water Adventures, was involved in an accident near Dillingham, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:02
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Dillingham, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 58.8194, -157.8607
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-44
- Registration
- N139F
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Fresh Water Adventures
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC98LA138
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's delayed remedial action (course reversal), low ceilings, rain, fog, and mountainous terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The commercial pilot departed under special VFR conditions on a CFR part 135 flight for a remote lake. During the flight, low clouds, rain, and fog were present in an area of mountainous terrain along the route of flight. The pilot stated that he intended to utilize a narrow mountain pass to transit the area, and as he entered the mountain pass, discovered that the ceiling and visibility would not allow safe passage. He said that he made an emergency 180 degree turn in an attempt to exit the pass, and subsequently collided with terrain. After initial impact, the airplane slid downhill about 100 feet, and came to rest on a 35 degree slope. The pilot stated that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of: Ceiling, 500 foot overcast; visibility, 2 miles with rain and fog; wind 360 degrees, at 8 knots. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Grumman G-44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1998 | Grumman G-44 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Dec 2000 | Grumman G-44 | Hermiston, Oregon, United States | Eugene F. Maahs | No injuries | - |
| 11 Jun 1995 | Grumman G-44 | Dillingham, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1995 | Grumman G-44 | Kodiak, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 May 2002 | Grumman G-44 | Boise, Idaho, United States | Patrick J. Coyle | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Oct 1994 | Grumman G-44 | Haymarket, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1998 | Boeing 747-400 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Asiana Airlines | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Nov 1998 | Piper PA-12 | Willow, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Feb 1998 | Cessna 207 | Homer, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 Nov 1998 | Piper PA-18-150 | Kenai, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 1998 | Taylorcraft BL12 | Sitka, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 May 1998 | Cessna 208 | Nome, Alaska, United States | Baker Aviation Inc. | Serious injuries | - |