Kenai - Anchorage

On December 23, 1987 at 06:11 AM, Kenai - Anchorage experienced a crash involving Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, operated by SouthCentral Air, with the event recorded near Kenai Alaska.

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

8 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 75.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The pilot had just departed the runway when he reported to the flight service station that he had engine problems. The aircraft was observed by witnesses to be about 300 feet on a descending downwind. The pilot stated that he was circling for runway 01. Surviving passengers described the engines as running rough and uneven. The investigation revealed that the aircraft's weight was more than the pilot had calculated and the CofG was 3.4 inches further aft than was calculated. However, the weight and CofG were within limits. Examination of the engine disclosed that the right engine had an extensive cylinder head crack, a partially disconnected intake pipe, and was capable of producing 55% of rated power. The left engine had seven severely worn cam lobes. The rudder trim was deflected full left at impact. The evidence indicated that the pilot had retarded the throttle for the left engine and was using only the right engine to sustain flight. Exam of company checklist usage revealed several different improper versions. The pilot and five passengers were killed. Two others passengers and two people on the ground were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N496SC, MSN 31-7752077, year of manufacture 1977.

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