Beechcraft H35 N5429D

Summary

On 1 July 2001 at about 23:00 local time, a Beechcraft H35 registered N5429D was involved in an accident near Chitina, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2001 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Chitina, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.4544, -144.9956

Aircraft

Beechcraft H35

Registration

N5429D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cordova → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01LA080

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are variable winds, and a downdraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated private pilot said that the purpose of the flight was to show his friend some Alaskan scenery, in an area of mountainous, snow-covered terrain. As the flight progressed, the wind increased, and a strong downdraft caused the airplane to descend rapidly. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to climb, but the airplane continued to descend, rapidly lost airspeed, and subsequently collided with an area of snow-covered terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.