Kenai - King Salmon

After takeoff from Kenai Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew declared an emergency and elected to return to Kenai when a part of the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a pasture and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All three occupants were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Kenai - King Salmon

Registration

N3373F

MSN

36061

Year of Manufacture

1945

Operator

Aero Union

Date

July 14, 1981 at 05:39 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Kenai Alaska

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

60.5544°, -151.2583°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On July 14, 1981 at 05:39 PM, Kenai - King Salmon experienced a crash involving Douglas C-54 Skymaster, operated by Aero Union, with the event recorded near Kenai Alaska.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. After takeoff from Kenai Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew declared an emergency and elected to return to Kenai when a part of the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a pasture and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All three occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N3373F, MSN 36061, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 60.5544°, -151.2583°.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

3

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

After takeoff from Kenai Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the engine n°1 caught fire and exploded. The crew declared an emergency and elected to return to Kenai when a part of the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a pasture and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All three occupants were killed.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 3

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Kenai - King Salmon

Operator

Aero Union

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

N3373F

MSN

36061

Year of Manufacture

1945

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