ANC83IA010

NTSB incident investigation · Short Bros. SC7 Series 3 · Barrow, AK · November 1, 1982

Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal report
Date
November 1, 1982, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
Place
Barrow, AK
Injuries
1 minor, 2 uninjured
Damage
Minor damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N50DAShort Bros. SC7 Series 3
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed · report November 1, 1983
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
Case key
69881

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the incident.

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Analysis

The aircraft was on a round trip flight from Barrow, AK to point hope, AK and return. After landing at point hope, there was a 20 min delay while waiting for the ground crew. The pilot stated that he ran the engines for some 10 min or so due to the high winds and cold. He stated that the wind was averaging about 45 KTS and was too strong to maintain control on top of the aircraft for refueling. The pilot calculated that he had more than enough fuel to return to Barrow. While returning, he flew past two possible refuel points and a third place where he could have landed. While over water near his destination, the left engine flamed out and the pilot incorrectly shut down the right engine. He was able to restart the right engine, but it soon flamed out also. A successful forced landing was then made on the tundra. According to the pilot, the engine flamed out due to lack of fuel.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalApproach
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Fluid,fuel - exhaustionCause
Fuel consumption calculations - inaccuratePilot in commandCause
Emergency procedure - improperPilot in commandFactor
Aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
Forced landingLanding - flare/touchdown
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor
Terrain condition - rough/unevenFactor

Aircraft

Registration
N50DA
Reported as
Short Bros. SC7 Series 3 (SC7 SERIES)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
SH-1852
Engine
Airesearch TPE 331-2201A, 755 horsepower, turbo prop
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Part 135
Operator
Cape Smythe Air Service Inc.
Registered owner
Wood Fabricating Company
Departed
PHO · Point Hope, AK
Destination
BRW · Barrow, AK
Flight plan
VFR

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Medical
Unknown, Unknown

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Wind
40° at 7 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Temperature
41 °F