Page:CAB Accident Report, Beechcraft C-18-S on 1 September 1959.pdf/2

 Nothing was heard from the Beechcraft after leaving Tanana until approximately 2128 when an Air Force reconnaissance flight identified as "Loon Hotel" intercepted a MAYDAY call from it on the emergency frequency of 121.5 mcs.

Loon Hotel immediately notified McGrath radio of the MAYDAY call which McGrath had not heard. Attempts were then made by McGrath to contact the Beech on all frequencies available but with no success. At 2135 McGrath heard the Tatalina Aircraft Control and Warning Site (about 12 miles west-southwest of McGrath) call the Beech on 121.5 mcs. McGrath asked Tatalina if contact had been established with the aircraft transmitting the MAYDAY call. Tatalina advised being unable to establish two-way communications and that it did not have the aircraft on radar.

At approximately 2145 the aircraft appeared on the Tatalina scope and Tatalina began broadcasting the bearing and distance of the aircraft to McGrath in the blind. At this time on their radar the Beech was 54 miles north-northwest of McGrath on a southwest heading. At 2150 McGrath began broadcasting in the blind on 350 kcs. range frequency and 122.2 mcs., the steers being given by Tatalina on 121.5 mcs.

At 2157 McGrath established two-way contact with the Beech on 121.1 122.2 mcs., and continued to give bearing and distance position reports as intercepted from Tatalina, starting at the time the aircraft was 110 degrees and 49 miles from McGrath. atAt [sic] 2158 McGrath broadcast the following steers to the aircraft: 108 degrees and 47 miles, 106 degrees and 41 miles, 102 degrees and 36 miles, which the flight acknowledged.

At 2204 McGrath advised the Beech to maintain a heading of 102 degrees and that it was 36 miles from McGrath. McGrath then also asked the nature of the emergency and the pilot replied that he was low on fuel and in rain showers.

At 2207 McGrath advised the pilot to maintain a heading of 100 degrees and informed him that he was 32 miles from McGrath. The pilot stated that he then had the field in sight and requested terrain information between his aircraft and McGrath. McGrath reported that from the information received from Tatalina they believed his aircraft to be in the vicinity of Cloudy Mountain, which is 4,200 feet above sea level. McGrath radio also informed the flight that to the south Takotna Mountain and the Kuskowim Mountains rose to approximately 3,100 feet and 2,300 feet altitudes, respectively, and that to the north of Cloudy Mountain the terrain was slightly higher. The 2155 weather report was then given to the aircraft and McGrath requested the pilot to confirm that he had the field in sight. He replied, "Roger, have your field in sight."

At 2211 the pilot requested the height of Cloudy Mountain and McGrath replied, "Approximately 4,200 feet" and inquired if the pilot had a chart. He replied, "Yes,—what is the altimeter?" McGrath gave the altimeter as 29.84, after which the pilot replied, "Boy, I need some altitude." At Tanana, the last stop, the altimeter setting was 29.70.

At 2214 McGrath, using information obtained from Tatalina, advised Priest that his heading to McGrath was 100 degrees and that he was now 26 miles from the airport. McGrath then asked for his present altitude to which the pilot