# NTSB ANC78FA023: Evangel 4500, N4508L, Merrill Pass, AK, February 27, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 27, 1978
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK · MERRILL PASS, AK
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC78FA023
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FA023

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2116  78/2/27    MERRILL PASS,AK     EVANGEL 4500        CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1325                    N4508L              PX-  2  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            35, 5500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1203 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          DILLINGHAM,AK               ANCHORAGE,AK                 STONY RIVER,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - SELF-HELP,PILOT CHECKED WEATHER DATA
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WX CONDITION IN PASS RPRTD BY PIREP.RECOVERY DATE 2/28/78.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4508L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4508L-1981-12-23), registration cancelled 1981-12-23, S/N 008, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EVANGEL 4500
- Registry model: [Evangel Air 4500-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/evangel-air-4500-300) (registry code 3340104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19780227019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780227019499A), Feb 27, 1978: Evnair 4500300, Merrill Pass, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wx condition in Pass rprtd by PIREP.recovery date 2/28/78.

## Other investigations on N4508L (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI76FEM37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEM37), Apr 19, 1976: Evangel 4500 (N4508L), Grand Haven, MI, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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