Ep 4. Plane Down In The Tundra

In Alaska Aircrash Investigations season 1 episode 4, titled "Plane Down In The Tundra," the investigation begins with the disappearance of a small aircraft, which was carrying three people and a dog. The plane had taken off from the town of Kenai, Alaska, and was headed to Anchorage. However, it never landed at its intended destination.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center was alerted of the missing aircraft and a search mission was launched. The team was composed of skilled pilots and rescue specialists who were familiar with the harsh Alaskan terrain. The vast and remote location made the search operation challenging, but the team was determined to find the missing aircraft.

After days of searching, the team finally located the wreckage of the aircraft in the middle of the tundra. The plane had crashed into a snowy mountainside and was badly damaged. The investigators started to piece together what had happened in the moments leading to the crash.

As they analyzed the wreckage and spoke to eyewitnesses, the investigators discovered that the weather conditions in the area were severe. The plane had encountered a sudden and unexpected snowstorm that caused the pilot to lose visual contact with the ground. The pilots faced many challenges, including low visibility, turbulence, and strong winds, which made it difficult for them to maintain control of the aircraft.

As the team searched through the wreckage, they uncovered evidence that revealed the cause of the accident. The investigators found that the plane's wings had been heavily iced over, which resulted in the aircraft losing lift and crashing into the mountainside. The icing on the wings caused a loss of aerodynamic efficiency, which meant that the aircraft could no longer maintain altitude and as a result, it crashed.

The episode takes viewers through the entire investigation process, from the search and rescue operation to the discovery of the cause of the crash. The experts also discuss the measures that could have been taken to prevent the accident, such as de-icing the wings before takeoff.

"Plane Down In The Tundra" is a fascinating episode of Alaska Aircrash Investigations that provides insight into the challenging and dangerous nature of aviation in Alaska. It also highlights the bravery and expertise of the rescue and investigation teams who work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind these accidents.