Incident Name:
Date: June 28, 1971, 2315 hrs
Personnel: Sam L Greiner
Age: 41
Agency/Organization: BLM
Position: aerial firefighter
Summary:
Wildland Firefighter Sam Greiner was killed in a helicopter accident near Lake Minchumina, outside of McGrath, Alaska. Information regarding the incident is not clear, but apparently an Alouette II helicopter that was carrying a crew from McGrath suffered an engine failure. While performing an emergency landing the helicopter rolled over on a steep bank or was knocked over by a sudden gust of wind. Ron Fitka of Marshal and Floyd Anderson of McGrath were helitak crewmen on the helicopter; Sam Greiner was the squad leader. He was struck by a main rotor blade while exiting the aircraft after the emergency landing.
Maps
near Lake Minchumina, outside of McGrath, AK
{mosmap lat=’63.883093’|lon=’-152.307738’|marker=’0’|text=’Lake Minchumina, AK’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Concise Information from the NTSB, FAA, AAP and research by the WLF Staff:
- June 28, 1971, 2315 hrs
- 1 killed, Sam Greiner
- Operator: unknown
- Type: ALOUETTE II helicopter
- Location: near Lake Minchumina, outside of McGrath, AK
- FAA Registration # N4966
- NTSB # ANC71AA062
- National Transportation Safety Board: example Probable Cause (html)Type of Accident
Collision with ground/water: controlled
Collided with: Object
Phase of Operation
Landing: Power-on-landing
Landing: Roll-on / Run-on
Probable Cause(s)
Pilot in Command – Improper operation of flight controls
Factor(s)
Pilot in Command – Psychological Condition
Weather – Thunderstorm Activity
Terrain – Other
Emergency Circumstances – Forced landing off airport on land
Adverse/Unfavorable weather
- For more information consult the NTSB online lookup Utility Use NTSB Identification: ANC71AA062
- US Social Security Death Index: Sam Greiner
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Media Articles and Reports
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Alaska State Fire Fighters Association Memorial: Samuel Greiner
Contributors to this article: Alaska State Fire Fighters Association
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