By James MacPherson
Journal Reporter

Federal investigators have not yet determined the cause of the Peninsula Airways Inc. crash Oct. 10, Alaska's deadliest commercial aircraft accident in 14 years.

The National Transportation Safety Board Dec. 20 issued an investigation update on PenAir Flight 350, which crashed just after takeoff from the Dillingham airport, killing the pilot and all nine passengers.

A team of investigators from NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C., said tapes of pilot Gordon Mills' radio transmissions before takeoff and from several of his previous flights were being examined.

According to the NTSB update, "preliminary examination has found no evidence of unusual sounds or actions by the pilot prior to takeoff on the accident flight.''

Preliminary toxicology tests performed on Mills "revealed no evidence of drugs or alcohol,'' according to the NTSB.

Investigators have not found any problems with the Cessna 208 Caravan's engine or propeller hub.

"Preliminary information has revealed that the engine was running at the time of impact and the propeller was within its operating range,'' according to the NTSB update.

Investigators continue examining the engine monitor, which records any problems with the engine in flight. Also being examined are the airplane's flight instruments and engine gauges, the NTSB said.

The plane was bound for King Salmon when it crashed shortly after takeoff. Witnesses saw the plane take off and then suddenly nose dive about half a mile from the runway. The weather was clear and windless the morning of the accident.

The NTSB said it will "release more factual information as it becomes available.''

Meanwhile, PenAir officials are doubling up pilots on the airline's fleet of four Cessna 208s, said president Orin Seybert.

"We are doing this voluntarily, for ourselves and for our customers,'' Seybert said.

Adding a pilot reduces the airplane's payload by about 200 pounds, but adds experience in the cockpit, Seybert said.

"It costs us a little money but adds a much greater level of safety,'' Seybert said.

Of those killed in the crash, four were board members of the Bristol Bay Native Association. Two others were employees of the Native corporation.

Bryan Carricaburu, chief pilot and director of flight operations, said Seybert, who lived many years in Dillingham, was related to several of the crash victims.

"It was a shock to everyone and a blow to the community,'' Carricaburu said.