Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III crash, Jul 3, 2003 (5 killed)
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III accident on July 3, 2003 near Sitka, Alaska, United States with 5 fatalities. Cause: The pilot's failure to follow the...
- Date: July 3, 2003
- Aircraft: Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
- Location: Sitka, Alaska, United States
- Fatalities: 5
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot's failure to follow the published IFR approach procedure, which led to a collision with terrain. A low ceiling and the distraction caused by the open baggage door were contributing factors.
A Cessna 421C on an IFR flight to Anchorage lost its right nose baggage door in flight, and the pilot diverted to Sitka for an instrument approach. Instead of flying the published approach, he abbreviated it and turned toward higher terrain north of the approach course. The aircraft struck trees about 3 miles north of the airport and all five occupants were killed.