The Flight Crew of Sierra Pacific Airlines Charter Flight 802

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 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

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.

Richard P Ackerman

Production staff members

Anthony R. Mazzola – assistant director

Rusty Carter - propmaster