Accident Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando N1419Z,

ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 323375

Date:	Wednesday 20 December 2000
Time:	16:20
Type:	Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
Owner/operator:	Everts Air Fuel
Registration:	N1419Z
MSN:	30228
Year of manufacture:	1944
Total airframe hrs:	10907 hours
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-2800
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	69 km SW of Kenai, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Nondalton Airport, AK (NNL/PANO)
Destination airport:	Kenai Airport, AK (ENA/PAEN)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
Curtiss C-46 N1419Z had delivered 2,000 gallons of fuel oil to Nondalton and was heading home to Kenai via Lake Clark Pass when the crew were forced to divert to a southern route to avoid poor weather. The wreckage was found the next day at 2,800 feet on a steep ridge line about 10 miles southeast of Redoubt Volcano.
The same aircraft, N1419Z (also piloted by captain Munsoon) was involved in a fuel spill incident at Kenai, August 31, 2000. The C-46 Commando had just loaded 450 gallons of aviation fuel into its primary tank when Kenai Airport Fuel Service crews heard a loud popping noise and saw fuel leaking from the tank. The spill was quickly contained thanks to prompt action by the fueling crew, Everts Air employees and the fire services.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident are high winds, turbulence, and low ceilings."

Accident investigation: