Anchorage - Soldotna

On February 4, 1985 at 07:51 PM, Anchorage - Soldotna experienced a crash involving Beechcraft 80 Queen Air, operated by North Pacific Airlines, with the event recorded near Soldotna Alaska.

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

9 people were known to be on board, 9 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. During arrival, the crew of NP flight 1802 contacted the company weather observer at Soldotna who advised the weather was: wind calm, ceiling 600 to 800 feet, visibility 8 to 10 miles, no precipitations. They made an NDB approach, but missed the approach and requested another approach. Approximately one minute later, the crew reported the aircraft had accumulated a heavy load of ice. They could have diverted nearby to Kenai for an ILS approach, but elected to make a VOR approach back to Soldotna. While being vectored, they made two more checks with the weather observer who advised the weather had deteriorated to below minimums and recommended diverting, but the crew did not acknowledge. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with trees on high terrain approximately 1.5 mile southeast of the airport. There was evidence the aircraft was circling when it crashed. Circling was not authorized south of runway 07/25. Investigations revealed recurring problems with the anti-ice system, its 'single' mode was inoperative, two de-ice boots were missing from prop blades. Weather station listed only one lighted marker (1/4 mile away) for visibility reference; minimum landing visibility was one mile; ceilometer was inoperative. No FAA inspection of weather station in 2 years. Icing forecasted. All nine occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N50NP, MSN LD-231, year of manufacture 1965.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 60.4847°, -151.0653°.