Palmer - Lime Village

On March 20, 1986 at 01:30 PM, Palmer - Lime Village experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, operated by Woods Air Service - Woods Air Fuel, with the event recorded near Lime Village Alaska.

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

2 people were known to be on board, 2 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: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Witnesses observed the aircraft on final approach with its gear down then the nose pitched up. The aircraft rolled left and crashed into trees. The aircraft's cockpit, cabin, engine nacelles, cargo and portions of the wings were destroyed by post-impact fire. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed the landing gear was in the up and locked position and the flaps were at 30°. This is consistent with a go-around configuration. No mechanical malfunction/failure could be determined. The aircraft had a restricted category airworthiness certificate. The cargo area contained two fuel tanks and assorted items (oil stove, tools, 55 gallon drum and hoses). The pilot was type rated in this aircraft. The runway length listed in the Alaska supplement was 1,000 feet longer than the actual runway length. The runway was glazed with ice. Both occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N539Y, MSN 197, year of manufacture 1964.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 61.3222°, -155.2029°.