Kodiak Alaska Military History

Accident # 42-4-29-14

RESTRICTED

(29)Statement of Accident Classification Committee:

The pilot had made a previous take-off and was forced to return due to the fact that he did not have a proper clearance. Before his next take-off he had complained of how heavily loaded his ship was due to having an extra tank of gas, which he did not need, plus all the equipment aboard. The pilot showed an error in judgment in attempting to climb out the ridge without sufficient altitude for a safe clearance a very heavy ship and in very turbulent air, when it would have been to avoid the ridge by going around it. While passing over the ridge at about 150 feet the ship was caught in a severe down draft, and in spite of all that the pilot could do the ship struck the ridge at about 150 feet below the summit. There was no engine failure.

The weather conditions that existed on April 29 are peculiar to the region around Kodiak Island. The trubulence [sic] and drafts are exceedingly severe and are much more violent than a pilot not used to flying in this area could expect.

(30)Recommendations: None

(Signed by all)
Thomas F. Mansfield, 1^st Lt. AC President
Clayton J. Larson, 1^st Lt. AC Member
Victor E. Fiala, 2^nd Lt. AC Member

(31)Remarks and Recommendations:

With SW winds, take-off[s] from Kodiak Naval Air Station are towards inshore hills. Two alternatives are open to pilots after take-off: either turn sharply over the lower hills nearest the airdrome and return over field to shore line, or continue climb turning N. of West to go through the pass in that direction. Either alternative with a heavily loaded B-18 in gusty air is uncomfortable, and it is quite like[l]y that the pilot was attempting to attain relatively smoother air West of the mountain and on course as soon as possible. Considering all factors, the undersigned concludes that a more correct analysis of causes would be as follows: Weather 50%; Airport or terrain 20%; Pilot error of judgment 30%.

(Signed)
L. H. Dunlap
Colonel, Air Corps

A note dated 8-9-43 was attached and read:

" Mature Group: Collision in flight
Specific Nature: with mountain
Underlying Nature: Pilot misjudged needed clearance
Cause Group: 100% Pilot error [in] judgment
Specific Cause: Lack of experience in ar[c]tic flying
Underlying cause: Lack of knowledge"

MILITARY RESERVATION)
                    ) :ss
FORT GREELY, ALASKA )

Further deponeth sayeth not.

(Signed)

MILITARY RESERVATION)
                    ) :ss
FORT GREELY, ALASKA )

"Shortly after I took my post just East of Buskin Lake about 8:00 AM April 29, 1942, I saw a B-18 airplane overhead which circled back towards the landing field. Later the same airplane came overhead again. First it appeared to be going through the pass between Pyramid and Barometer Mountains, and then it started circling back over Sheratin Mountain. I estimate its height over Sheratin Mountain at 500 to 700 feet above the peak. The airplane was in a left vertical bank when it passed from my view over the ridge. About a minute afterwards a small column smoke appeared above the ridge and gradually grew bigger. There were two distinct surges of smoke at different times.

The airplane did not appear to be in trouble, and I would have no concern about it if the smoke had not appeared after the airplane disappeared.

When the airplane passed overhead, the engine sound was normal. I could not hear the airplane just prior to its disappearance because of the distance and strong wind.

I reported the occurrence to a Sergeant passing by in a truck detail."

Further deponeth sayeth not.

(Signed)
MYRILL HAMILTON, 39081342
Pvt. Co. "A" 201^st Infantry.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30 day of April 1942

(Signed)
ROBERT O. CORK

Weather that occurred during the hours of 0700 to 1100 inclusive on April 29^th, 1942:

(Signed)
Certified to be a true copy R.G. Hadfield Ens., USNR