Fairbanks – Bettles

On May 13, 1971 at 10:15 AM, Fairbanks – Bettles experienced a crash involving Stinson SR-10 Reliant, operated by Frank E. Birch, with the event recorded near Bettles Alaska.

The flight was categorized as executive/corporate/business and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

1 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While approaching Bettles Airport, the pilot initiated a steep left turn from low pass at strip located between close-in mountains when the aircraft lost height and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N5709N, MSN 77-33.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 66.9077°, -151.5344°.