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NTSB Report
September 26, 1985 · De Havilland DHC-2 · N5317G
Merrill Pass, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Merrill Pass, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2
Tail Number
N5317G
Operator
Willow Air Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC85FA184
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AT AN ELEVATION OF 3600 FT MSL. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING AT 1329 GMT ON 9/26/86 AT WHICH TIME MERRILL PASS WAS FORECAST TO BE CLOSED BY 1100 ADT DUE TO DETERIORATING WX. THE LAST RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT WAS AT 1803 GMT WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH MCGRATH FSS. AT THIS TIME THE PLT MADE A PLT REPORT STATING THE WX AT MERRILL PASS WAS MARGINAL; 2 MILES VIS WITH SNOW AND OCCASIONAL MODERATE TURBULENCE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON 6/29/85 AND INDICATED THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH CONSIDERABLE AIRSPEED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AT AN ELEVATION OF 3600 FT MSL. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING AT 1329 GMT ON 9/26/86 AT WHICH TIME MERRILL PASS WAS FORECAST TO BE CLOSED BY 1100 ADT DUE TO DETERIORATING WX. THE LAST RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT WAS AT 1803 GMT WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH MCGRATH FSS. AT THIS TIME THE PLT MADE A PLT REPORT STATING THE WX AT MERRILL PASS WAS MARGINAL; 2 MILES VIS WITH SNOW AND OCCASIONAL MODERATE TURBULENCE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON 6/29/85 AND INDICATED THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH CONSIDERABLE AIRSPEED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-2
Tail NumberN5317G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWillow Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourcePILO