Statuts:	Enquête Officielle
Date:	27 AOU 2004
Heure:	ca 16:00
Type/Sous-type:	de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Compagnie:	Mavrik Aire
Immatriculation:	N197TT
Numéro de série:	197
Année de Fabrication:	1956
Moteurs:	1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Equipage:	victimes: 0 / à bord: 1
Passagers:	victimes: 1 / à bord: 2
Total:	victimes: 1 / à bord: 3
Dégats de l'appareil:	Détruit
Conséquences:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Lieu de l'accident:	56 km (35 milles) W of McGrath, AK (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
Phase de vol:	En vol (ENR)
Nature:	Affaires
Aéroport de départ:	McGrath Airport, AK (MCG/PAMC), Etats-Unis d'Amérique
Aéroport de destination:	Unalakleet Airport, AK (UNK/PAUN), Etats-Unis d'Amérique

Détails:
DHC-3 N197TT was one of two aircraft that departed McGrath for Unalakleet and Kotzebue to transport hunting camp supplies. Instrument meteorological conditions consisting of mist, fog, and smoke, prevailed in the area of the accident. Because of this, the Otter flew about 500 to 1,000 feet above the ground. Suddenly a mountain ridge appeared in front of the airplane. The pilot banked the airplane to the left, and added engine power. A few seconds later the airplane touched trees and descended into the ground, coming to rest upright. The survivors spent two nights at the wreckage under heavy forest fire smoke and severe weather before they were spotted by rescue crews.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings due to smoke, rain, and mist."

Sources:
» Anchorage Daily News
» FAA
» NTSB