PILATUS PC-12/45

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2025, about 1740 Alaska standard time, a Pilatus PC-12 airplane, N304PT, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Sleetmute, Alaska. The pilot and nine passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on demand charter flight.
The airplane had departed the Scammon Bay Airport (PACM) at 1635 with nine passengers onboard on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, en route to the Ted Stevens International Airport (PANC), Anchorage, Alaska. After departure the airplane climbed to 27,000 ft and about 1 hour and 23 minutes into the flight the pilot observed and heard the left side of the windscreen crack. The pilot immediately reduced power and began a gradual descent. About a minute later, as the airplane passed through 24,000 ft, the left side windscreen blew completely out of the airplane. See Figure 1

Figure 1. N304PT depicting missing left side windscreen (Photo provided by operator)
The pilot diverted to the Sleetmute Airport (PASL) and landed without incident.
An examination of the window frame is pending.