Preliminary Report: Pilot admits distraction in Caravan crash

Cessna Caravan 208B, Unalakleet, Alaska, Oct. 24, 2005–Caravan N1263Y was substantially damaged when it hit the ground during low-level cruise flight, about 17 miles south of Unalakleet, the flight’s destination. The commercial pilot reported that he was “flight seeing” and was distracted by a noise in the cabin. When he looked back outside, the airplane hit brush and tundra.

The two occupants–the pilot and passenger–received minor injuries. The Bering Air positioning flight was VFR. No mechanical problems were reported.