Narrative:
The DHC-4 Caribou cargo plane was configured for a STOL departure. During a crosswind turn after takeoff, the crew lost control and crashed in an extreme nose-down attitude. The aircraft came down 1300 feet from the end of the runway and 500 feet left of the extended centerline.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning
pilot in command - failed to follow approved procedures,directives,etc.
miscellaneous acts,conditions - cargo shifted
FACTOR:
personnel - operational supervisory personnel: inadequate ground training-procedures
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 25 May 1979 |
| Time: | 20:40 |
| Type: |  de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou |
| Operator: | Sea Airmotive |
| Registration: | N581PA |
| MSN: | 253 |
| First flight: | 1967 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Bullen Point Air Force Station, AK ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Bullen Point Air Force Station, AK (PABU), United States of America |
| Deadhorse-Alpine Airstrip, AK (DQH/PALP), United States of America |
The DHC-4 Caribou cargo plane was configured for a STOL departure. During a crosswind turn after takeoff, the crew lost control and crashed in an extreme nose-down attitude. The aircraft came down 1300 feet from the end of the runway and 500 feet left of the extended centerline.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning
pilot in command - failed to follow approved procedures,directives,etc.
miscellaneous acts,conditions - cargo shifted
FACTOR:
personnel - operational supervisory personnel: inadequate ground training-procedures
Classification:
Cargo shiftLoss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Bullen Point Air Force Station, AK to Deadhorse-Alpine Airstrip, AK as the crow flies is 154 km (96 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Bullen Point Air Force Station, AK to Deadhorse-Alpine Airstrip, AK as the crow flies is 154 km (96 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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