Anchorage - Gulkana

On August 20, 1985 at 02:05 AM, Anchorage - Gulkana experienced a crash involving Learjet 24, operated by ERA Aviation, with the event recorded near Gulkana 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.

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

The listed crash cause is human factor. During a night arrival, the flight was on an instrument approach to the Gulkana Airport when radio contact with the aircraft was lost. A search was initiated and the wreckage was found 7.4 miles north of the terminal VOR on the 330° radial. The inbound course for the VOR runway 14 approach was on the 315° radial. An on-scene exam revealed the aircraft was tracking inbound when it collided with trees, crashed and burned about 2.4 miles before reaching the final approach fix. Both engines were operating during impact and both had ingested considerable tree material. No preimpact mechanical failure was evident. The captain and 1st officer were currently responsible for flying both the Learjet and DHC-7 aircraft. This was the captain's 1st day of work after returning from a vacation trip to Hawaii (approximately 1-1/2 weeks). The 1st officer had an adequate period for crew rest prior to reporting for work; however, he had previously been working a varied schedule. The operator repeatedly shifted pilots from 14 cfr 135 rest/duty requirements to those of 14 cfr 121. All three occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N455JA, MSN 24-300, year of manufacture 1974.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 62.2063°, -145.4532°.