Check-Six.com
Offering Aviation History & Adventure First-Hand!

Home
Up

Sierra Pacific Airlines Charter Flight 802

(aka "The 'Primal Man' Crash")

March 13th, 1974

Near Bishop, California

 

The Flight Crew of Sierra Pacific Airlines Charter Flight 802

Captain Albert J. Evans, 50, held Airline Transport Pilot Certificate No. 424834, with ratings for airplane multiengine land, Douglas DC-3, Convair 240, 340, 440, and Martin 202, & 404

His first-class medical certificate was issued September 7, 1973, with the limitation that corrective glasses be worn while exercising the privileges of the airman certificate.

He had accumulated 9,902 flight-hours, including 1, 742 hours in the Convair-type aircraft. In the 90 days before the accident, he had flown 333 hours in the Convair 340/440.

Captain Evans was employed by Sierra Pacific Airlines on September 9, 1973, and had successfully completed a pilot-in-command initial proficiency check and en route flight check in the Convair 340/440 with an FAA inspector on October 2, 1973. During this check, Captain Evans qualified into the Bishop Airport and subsequently flew into Bishop eight times before the accident. Three of these trips were conducted at night and three were in the 90 days before the accident.

The captain had a 43-hour rest period before reporting for duty at 0515 on March 13, 1974. He had flown one round trip flight into Mammoth Lakes earlier that day and was not scheduled for any duties before the later departure for Bishop.

First Officer Paul T. Dennis, 26, held Airline Transport Pilot Certificate No. 2007875 with ratings for airplane multiengine land and the Convair 340/440.

His first-class medical certificate was issued April 10, 1973, with no limitations.

He had accumulated 2,845 flight-hours, of which 2,500 were in Convair-type aircraft. First Officer Dennis was employed by Sierra Pacific Airlines on October 15, 1973, and successfully completed a proficiency check in the Convair 340/440 on November 23, 1973. He had flown into Bishop five times during the previous 3 months. One of these flights was conducted at night.

First Officer Dennis had been ill and bedridden with flu virus for 4 days before reporting for duty at 0515 on March 13, 1974. He had flown one round trip to Mammoth Lakes on the day of the accident which departed Burbank at 0615 and returned at about 1030. He had not been scheduled for any duties in the intervening period before departing on the last flight to Bishop.

An observer on the flight, pilot Harold R. West, 45, occupied the cockpit jumpseat as an observer pilot on Flight 802. He was a pilot-in-command trainee for Sierra Pacific Airlines and had completed ground school and 2 hours of Link training. He held Airline Transport Pilot Certificate No. 1346876, with ratings for airplane multiengine land, and Convair 240, 340, and 440 aircraft. He had 8,831 flight-hours, of which 5, 992 hours were in Convair-type aircraft.

His most recent first-class medical certificate was issued on February 15, 1974.

Observer West had occupied the jumpseat five times before the day of the accident, but had not flown into Bishop until the evening of March 13, 1974.

Flight Attendant Mary Joanne Parker, 19, was employed by Sierra Pacific Airlines on November 14, 1973. She completed her training on November 14, 1973. She was designated a Check Flight Attendant on January 25, 1974.

Also on board, but not as a member of the flight crew: Sierra Pacific passenger service rep James E. Steinlauf

Actors

Janos Prohaska - a native of Hungray, his thick accent prevented him for earning speaking roles in Hollywood, so he resorted to filling the niche of imiating animals.  He is best known as the talking, cookie-mad bear during the last years of "The Andy Williams Show". This character was always trying to wheedle a cookie out of Williams and was constantly, but never violently, rebuffed.

Star Trek fans know him as the actor who played several of the series most notable aliens, including the Mugato, the Horta, and Yarnek the Excaliburian.  He also appeared on "Bewitched", "The Outer Limits", "Gilligan's Island", "Lost in Space", and numerous other shows.

Robert Prohaska - stuntman, and son of Janos Prohaska

Richard P. Ackerman

Eugene E. DarvalJim Dickson
Jacqueli C. “Jackie” TangDr. Loren M. Raymond

Production staff members

Dennis R. Azzarella - Director / WriterJay P. “Fish” Fishburn – a field representative of the American Humane Association,
Joel Rosen – personal assistant of the directorBill Miller– make-up artist
Irene G. Bunde – fiancé of Dennis AzzarellaRolf J. Miller – Emmy-nominated make-up artist for his work on the primetime TV series "Bewitched" in 1971

Anthony R. Mazzola – assistant director

Jim Phillips – make-up artist
Albert C. Kihn - cameramanIrving A. Pringle – make-up artist
David E. Ayvazian – assistant cameramanCharles A. Sorkin – make-up artist
Bill Lucas – assistant cameraman

Rusty Carter - propmaster

Donald H. Jacob –key gripRobert D. “Bobby” Jones - gaffer
John W. “Bill” Savoy – transportationAlan W. Hoffman – wardrobe specialist
Ronald J. Brandt - transportationGiovanna F. Piazza – wardrobe specialist
Howard Perlman – production assistantMary Skolnik – hair stylist
Stephen V. Solon – production assistantGary D. Spero – production assistant
Expedia.com

Send mail to webmaster@check-six.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Copyright © 2002 Check Six
This page last updated Saturday, November 22, 2014

Official PayPal Seal

Hosting by:

GoDaddy.com

Avitop.com