Narrative:
Pacific Northern Airlines Flight 201 (PN201), a Lockheed L-749A Constellation, N1554V, departed Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA (SEA) at 00:23, for Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC), with a scheduled stop at Cordova Airport, AK (CDV).
The flight from Seattle to Cordova was routine and the flight landed at 03:46. After a quick turnaround the flight taxied out for takeoff on runway 8 at 04:13 and requested clearance to Anchorage. Clearance was issued with an en route altitude of 10,000 feet.
The crew reported to Anchorage ARTCC that they passed Hinchinbrook at 04:27, at 9,000 feet on instruments. They were estimating Whittier at 04:47. But the flight never reported passing Whittier.
It was found to have flown into the shear face of the 9646 feet high Mount Gilbert at the 9000 feet level. Mount Gilbert was 28nm to the right of the intended track.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the crew to use all available navigational aids in establishing the aircrafts position on Amber 1 Airway, thereby allowing the aircraft to deviate from course and fly over hazardous terrain. A contributing factor was the failure of Air Defence Radar, which had been tracking the aircraft, to notify either ARTCC or the crew that the aircraft was proceeding on a dangerous course."
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 14 June 1960 |
| Time: | 04:47 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-749A Constellation |
| Operator: | Pacific Northern Airlines |
| Registration: | N1554V |
| MSN: | 2555 |
| First flight: | 1947 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 30560 |
| Engines: | 4 Wright R-3350 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Mount Gilbert, AK ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Cordova-Mudhole Smith Airport, AK (CDV/PACV), United States of America |
| Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC/PANC), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 201 |
Pacific Northern Airlines Flight 201 (PN201), a Lockheed L-749A Constellation, N1554V, departed Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA (SEA) at 00:23, for Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC), with a scheduled stop at Cordova Airport, AK (CDV).
The flight from Seattle to Cordova was routine and the flight landed at 03:46. After a quick turnaround the flight taxied out for takeoff on runway 8 at 04:13 and requested clearance to Anchorage. Clearance was issued with an en route altitude of 10,000 feet.
The crew reported to Anchorage ARTCC that they passed Hinchinbrook at 04:27, at 9,000 feet on instruments. They were estimating Whittier at 04:47. But the flight never reported passing Whittier.
It was found to have flown into the shear face of the 9646 feet high Mount Gilbert at the 9000 feet level. Mount Gilbert was 28nm to the right of the intended track.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the crew to use all available navigational aids in establishing the aircrafts position on Amber 1 Airway, thereby allowing the aircraft to deviate from course and fly over hazardous terrain. A contributing factor was the failure of Air Defence Radar, which had been tracking the aircraft, to notify either ARTCC or the crew that the aircraft was proceeding on a dangerous course."
Accident investigation:
|
Classification:
Navigational error Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» CAB ReportPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Cordova-Mudhole Smith Airport, AK to Anchorage International Airport, AK as the crow flies is 254 km (159 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Cordova-Mudhole Smith Airport, AK to Anchorage International Airport, AK as the crow flies is 254 km (159 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Lockheed L-749
- 145 built
- 22nd loss
- 15th fatal accident
- 13th worst accident (at the time)
- 14th worst accident (currently)
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