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Commando/42-96566

Serial #: 42-96566
Construction #: 30228
Civil Registration:
  N1419Z
Model: C-46A
Name: Maid Of Money
Status: Wrecked
Last info: 2000
   History:
Everts Air Fuel, Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 23, 1960-2000.
- Registered as N1419Z.
- Flew as "Maid Of Money".
- Crashed and destroyed, Dec. 21, 2000.

NTSB Identification: ANC01FA026. The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number DMS.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, December 20, 2000 in KENAI, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/18/02
Aircraft: Curtis-Wright C46A, registration: N1419Z
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
The flight crew was returning from off-loading their cargo at a remote site on the west side of a mountain range. The return flight would provide an option of following a lower mountain pass, or flying over the mountainous terrain. Witnesses related that prior to the flight's departure, the marginal VFR weather conditions began to deteriorate very rapidly, with winds in excess of 50 knots, lowering ceilings, rain, and turbulence. An airmet, valid during the time of the accident, forecast high winds, mountain obscuration, and turbulence. The wreckage of the airplane was located near the crest of a 2,900 feet msl ridge. Wreckage debris was scattered on both sides of the ridge, and the airplane was destroyed by the high speed impact. Inspection of the wreckage disclosed no evidence any mechanical anomalies. A radar track analysis of a target airplane believed to be the accident airplane, depicted a track on a direct route of flight over the mountains from the departure airport towards the destination airport. Altitude data was not received from the target airplane's Mode C transponder, and therefore was extrapolated from the less reliable radar plot information. The maximum altitude plotted was approximately 10,800 feet, prior to a descent as the airplane neared the west side of the range. Mountains along the route of flight exceed 10,000 feet msl.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The flight crew's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident are high winds, turbulence, and low ceilings.

Source(s):
Oldprops
Federal Aviation Administration, www.faa.gov, Washington D.C., 2003.
National Transportation & Safety Board
Aeromoe
USAAF Serial Numbers
Photo Source(s):
Ruud Leeuw/Ruud's Classic Airliners