Cape Newenham approach plate warned of ‘improbable’ success if go-around initiated late.
US investigators are yet to establish the reasons behind a fatal Cessna 441 terrain collision in Alaska, but have highlighted the low-visibility conditions and warnings against executing late go-arounds.
Bound for Cape Newenham airport on 20 August, the aircraft had been attempting a second approach to runway 15 when the accident occurred.
None of the Cessna’s eight occupants survived.
Its crew had aborted the first approach, although the point at which it was called off is unclear, owing to intermittent ADS-B coverage of the aircraft’s position.
The missed approach point, designated CFKMW, is situated 2.2sm (3.5km) from the runway 15 threshold according to a July 2026 approach plate.
This approach plate refers to high terrain either side of the airport and near the southern end of the runway.
It also warns that a successful go-around is “improbable” if initiated past the missed approach point.
While the crew, just after the abort, had advised the air traffic controller that they were operating in visual conditions, observations from ground personnel suggest that the visibility subsequently deteriorated.
The crew had considered diverting to Platinum airport, says the National Transportation Safety Board in preliminary findings.
But they could not contact Platinum airport on the radio and the crew was cleared for a second approach to Cape Newenham. Like the first, it was conducted to runway 15 using area navigation.
“No further radio communications were received from the flight crew,” says the inquiry.
The airport’s weather observation system reported 0.25sm visibility, fog, and an overcast ceiling at 300ft.
According to the approach plate, the minimum descent altitude was 1,320ft with 3sm visibility.
The aircraft passed CFKMW, the missed approach point, at about 1,000ft altitude – continuing beyond this point and descending to about 600ft. ADS-B data was lost around this time, with the aircraft about 1.3sm north of the runway threshold.
Such was the thickness of the fog at the airport that a routine runway inspection prior to the aircraft’s arrival could not be completed; an earlier inspection had not detected any anomalies or nearby wildlife.
A technician heard “normal motor sounds” as the Cessna approached, but then heard the engines “throttle up”, followed by a “backfire” and a cessation of sound, says the inquiry.
It has not stated whether the aircraft was attempting a go-around, or any other specific details of its situation or manoeuvring.
But wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in an area of rising terrain about 0.5sm west of the approach end to runway 15, with the impact at an elevation of 610ft. The 160ft debris path was on a true heading of 250°.
“All major structural components of the airplane were identified at the accident site,” says the inquiry. “The wreckage is pending recovery to a secure location for further examination.”
The post Visibility and terrain risk prominent in fatal Alaskan Cessna 441 crash probe first appeared on FlightGlobal.