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NTSB Report
August 18, 1988 · Cessna 402B · N5718M
Mt. Torbet, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Mt. Torbet, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 402B
Tail Number
N5718M
Operator
Wilburs
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC88FA111
THE ON-DEMAND-CHARTER FLIGHT WAS TO ORIGINALLY PICKUP PASSENGERS AND CARGO BUT A LANDING GEAR PROBLEM FORCED ANOTHER AIRPLANE WITH A MECHANIC TO BE DISPATCHED. THE OTHER AIRPLANE RETURNED WITH THE PASSENGERS AND THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC AND DEPARTED AT A LATER TIME WITH THE CARGO ON BOARD. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ON A FLIGHT PLAN. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM 7000 FEET MSL TO 12,500 FEET MSL AS REPORTED BY THE OTHER COMPANY AIRPLANE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF MT. TORBERT AT THE 10,570 FOOT LEVEL. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT PILOT SEAT WITH A NON-AVIATION RELATED BOOK IN HIS LAP. THE MECHANIC WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT PILOT SEAT WITH A WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART, CD-11 OPEN ON HIS LAP. THE MECHANIC HELD A COMMERCIAL PILOTS CERTIFICATE BUT NO INSTRUMENT RATING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WEAKNESSES IN COMPANY OPERATIONS.
Full Narrative
THE ON-DEMAND-CHARTER FLIGHT WAS TO ORIGINALLY PICKUP PASSENGERS AND CARGO BUT A LANDING GEAR PROBLEM FORCED ANOTHER AIRPLANE WITH A MECHANIC TO BE DISPATCHED. THE OTHER AIRPLANE RETURNED WITH THE PASSENGERS AND THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC AND DEPARTED AT A LATER TIME WITH THE CARGO ON BOARD. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ON A FLIGHT PLAN. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FROM 7000 FEET MSL TO 12,500 FEET MSL AS REPORTED BY THE OTHER COMPANY AIRPLANE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF MT. TORBERT AT THE 10,570 FOOT LEVEL. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT PILOT SEAT WITH A NON-AVIATION RELATED BOOK IN HIS LAP. THE MECHANIC WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT PILOT SEAT WITH A WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART, CD-11 OPEN ON HIS LAP. THE MECHANIC HELD A COMMERCIAL PILOTS CERTIFICATE BUT NO INSTRUMENT RATING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WEAKNESSES IN COMPANY OPERATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:03 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 402B
Tail NumberN5718M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilburs
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats10
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 50 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT