Six Recent Accidents And One Incident  

Since 2012, the NTSB has investigated six accidents and one incident related to operators owned by HoTH, Inc. On September 5, 2012, about 1100 Alaska daylight time (AKDT), Era Aviation (dba Era Alaska) flight 874, a Bombardier DHC-8-103, N886EA, experienced an uncommanded left roll consistent with a stall and uncontrolled descent during climb about 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl) near Soldotna, Alaska. 

The flight crew regained control of the airplane about 7,000 ft msl, and the flight returned to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Anchorage, Alaska. The 12 passengers and 3 crew members were not injured, and the airplane was not damaged. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight between ANC and Homer Airport (HOM), Homer, Alaska. Day instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the incident. This incident is currently under investigation. 

On December 3, 2012, about 1050 Alaska Standard Time (AKST), Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., (dba Era Alaska) flight 140, a Cessna 208B, N169LJ, made a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Mekoryuk Airport, Mekoryuk, Alaska. The two pilots and six passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled commuter flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Mekoryuk Airport about 1045 and was destined for Bethel, Alaska. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of this accident was the total loss of engine power as a result of a fractured first stage compressor blade due to fatigue cracking. The source of the fatigue crack could not be determined due to secondary damage sustained to the fracture surface. 

On May 4, 2013, about 1340 AKDT, a Cessna 207, N9400M, collided with terrain during the second attempt to land at Newtok Airport, Newtok, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., (dba Era Alaska) under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as a VFR scheduled commuter flight. The airplane impacted terrain during poor weather conditions about 1 mile short of the runway. The NTSB determined that the probable cause s of this accident were the pilot’s continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a go around. 

On October 23, 2013, about 1530 AKDT, Era Aviation (dba Era Alaska) flight 878, a Beechcraft 1900C, N575U, experienced a nose and main landing gear collapse while landing on runway 22 at HOM. The 2 flight crewmembers and 13 passengers were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a scheduled domestic passenger flight from ANC. This accident is currently under investigation. 

On November 22, 2013, about 1332 AKST, a Beechcraft 1900C, N575X, sustained substantial damage while landing at Badami Airport near Deadhorse, Alaska. The captain, first officer, and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., (dba Era Alaska) under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as a VFR on demand charter flight. IMC were reported at the time of the accident, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at Deadhorse, Alaska, about 1315. The captain reported that during landing, the main landing gear wheels impacted the elevated edge of the runway surface. The right main gear separated, and the airplane slid along the surface of the runway, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and right elevator. This accident is currently under investigation. 

On November 29, 2013, about 1824 AKST, Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., (dba Era Alaska) flight 1453, a Cessna 208B Caravan, N12373, impacted terrain about 1 mile southeast of St. Mary’s Airport (KSM), St. Mary’s, Alaska. The commercial pilot and three passengers sustained fatal injuries, and six passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as a VFR scheduled commuter flight. Night IMC prevailed at KSM at the time of the accident, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The airplane departed from Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, about 1741 destined for Mountain Village, Alaska, and continuing to KSM. Before reaching Mountain Village, the flight diverted to KSM due to deteriorating weather. This accident is currently under investigation. 

On April 8, 2014, about 1556 AKDT, a Cessna 208B Caravan, N126AR, impacted terrain about 22 miles southeast of Kwethluk, Alaska. The two flight crewmembers sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was being operated by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., (dba Ravn Connect) under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a VFR training flight. Day VMC prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The local training flight departed from Bethel Airport about 1522. This accident is currently under investigation.