Fairbanks - Deadhorse - Prudhoe Bay

On May 16, 1973 at 10:45 AM, Fairbanks - Deadhorse - Prudhoe Bay experienced a crash involving Swearingen SA26T Merlin II, operated by Winship Air Services, with the event recorded near Deadhorse Alaska.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 40.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While descending in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost his orientation and descended too low without any ground reference when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 28 NM south of the airport. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N1214S, MSN T26-31, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 70.1999°, -148.4618°.