# NTSB ANC84LA086: Douglas C-118A, N4206L, Deadhorse, AK, June 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1984, 17:12 local (Jun 9, 1984, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809738, -147.720657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8097&lon=-147.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA086

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - wing,skin - penetrated
  - ifr procedure - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadeq substantiation process,inadeq documentation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - object - approach light/navaid

## Analysis

THE ACFT STRUCK A NON-DIRECTIONAL RADIO BEACON TOWER WHILE ON AN ILS DME RWY 05 INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THE KUPARAK OIL FIELD AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WX ISSUED TO THE ACFT INCLUDED AN INDEFINATE 200 FT SKY OBSCURED CONDITION & VISIBILITY OF 1 1/4 MILES. BOTH THE CAPTAIN & CO-PLT STATED THAT THEY COULD SEE THE OTHER END OF THE RWY. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH IS 316 FT MSL; THE ANTENNA HEIGHT WAS 35 FT, AT THIS POINT THE ACFT SHOULD BE 250 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AND OVER THE NON-DIRECTIONAL BEACON TOWER. INVESTIGATION DID REVEAL THAT THE TOWER USED TO BE LOCATED 2800 FT OFF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 05, BUT WAS MOVED TO 1775 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF RWY 05. EXISTING APPROACH PLATES DID NOT DISPLAY THE NEW LOCATION OF THE ANTENNA OR THE FACT THAT THE ANTENNA WAS ONE FT HIGHER THAN THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED BY THE FCC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4206L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4206L-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 43709 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C-118A
- Registry model: [Douglas C-118A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-118a) (registry code 3021710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43709
- Airframe hours: 28778
- Engines: P&W R-2800CB16/17 2400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Northern Air Cargo, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UUK, Kuparak, runway 5, 6,000 × 130 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840608031639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840608031639A), Jun 8, 1984: Doug C118A, Kuparak, AK, Substantial damage. Struck an NDB antenna tower on IFR approach near end of runway. Decision height not maintained. Tower not lighted.

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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