Pilot faulted in deadly Alaska crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A pilot's overly aggressive maneuvering and overconfidence were blamed in an investigative report on a C-17 plane crash at an Anchorage military base that killed all four airmen on board.

The crew was also faulted for not noticing the dangerous situation that culminated with the plane's stalling and crashing into woods July 28 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The report concluded that the pilot violated procedures, putting the plane into an unavoidable stall.

Bob Hall, a base spokesman, said Friday night he didn't know which of the three pilots was at the controls when the massive $184 million plane crashed during a training demonstration for an air show. A Pacific Air Forces spokeswoman said the pilot's identity would not be disclosed out of sensitivity to the families.

"Who sat where in the plane is not being released," Capt. Alysia Harvey said.

Pacific Air Forces, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, released the results of its investigation Friday.

The probe "found clear and convincing evidence the cause . . . was pilot error," the report says. It also found evidence that other factors, including overconfidence and misplaced motivation, contributed to the crash.

It also said the copilot and safety observer did not realize the developing dangerous situation or make appropriate changes.

When the stall warning sounded, the copilot responded, "temperature, altitude looking good," according to the report.

The investigation also found evidence that the flight deck crew ignored warnings.