Everts Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Robert W. Everts |
| Headquarters | Fairbanks, Alaska , United States |
Area served | Alaska, Canada, Contiguous United States (for Zero Gravity Corporation) |
Key people | Clifford R. Everts (manager of Everts Air Fuel Inc.) |
| Products | Scheduled and chartered cargo and passenger flights |
| Website | evertsair |
Everts Air is an airline based in the United States with its headquarters located in Fairbanks, Alaska. It operates both scheduled and chartered cargo and passenger flights throughout Alaska and Canada. The airline’s main hub is situated at Fairbanks International Airport, complemented by a significant hub at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Its corporate motto is Legendary Aircraft. Extraordinary Service.
History
Established in 1977 by businessman Robert W. Everts under the name Tatonduk Flying Service, the company initially operated a single Cessna 180 to serve isolated mining communities in Alaska. Since 1980, Robert’s father, Clifford R. Everts, has managed Everts Air Fuel Inc., a company focused on transporting hazardous and flammable substances.
In 1993, following the acquisition of Everts Air, Tatonduk Outfitters Limited elevated its certification from Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 to Part 121. This upgrade allowed the airline to broaden its domestic and supplemental flight operations. The fleet expanded to include larger aircraft such as the Douglas DC-6B and the Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando, leading to a division into two branches: Everts Air Alaska and Everts Air Cargo.
Operating the Douglas DC-6
After Northern Air Cargo ceased operating DC-6 aircraft, Everts Air Cargo became the sole U.S. carrier conducting scheduled flights with this classic piston-engine plane. The DC-6 provides operational benefits in Alaska’s demanding conditions, notably its superior capability on gravel runways. However, challenges include securing Avgas fuel and managing extensive maintenance requirements—estimated at twelve maintenance hours for every flight hour. Despite these difficulties, Everts maintains a robust inventory of spare parts to support DC-6 operations well beyond 2020.
Zero Gravity Corporation Boeing 727
Since 2015, Everts Air has been operating a Boeing 727-227F for the Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), an aircraft formerly flown by Amerijet International. Based within the Contiguous United States, this plane offers weightless flight experiences under FAA Part 121 certification, enabling ZERO-G to cater to both tourists and scientific researchers.
Destinations
Everts Air provides scheduled freight and passenger flights to various locations across Alaska. Key hubs include Anchorage (ANC), Fairbanks (FAI), and King Salmon (AKN). Additional destinations served are Bethel, Nome, Barrow, and Prudhoe Bay, among others.
Fleet
The Everts Air fleet features a wide range of aircraft suited for both cargo and passenger services:
- Two Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft dedicated to fuel transport for Everts Air Fuel operations
- One Boeing 727-227F assigned to Zero Gravity Corporation
- Various smaller planes including Cessna models 180, 206H, and Cessna C208B Grand Caravan
- Several variants of Curtiss-Wright C-46 (D, F, R)
- An extensive collection of Douglas aircraft: six DC-6A, two DC-6B, seven C-118A, alongside DC-9 and MD-series jets
- Regional aircraft such as Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia and Pilatus PC-12/47
- Piper PA-32R-300
Currently, twelve aircraft—including some DC-9s, MD-80s, DC-6s, and a C-46—are either inactive or stored.
In July 2020, Everts Air Cargo expanded its fleet by purchasing six Cessna 208 planes during the bankruptcy auction of Ravn Alaska.
Incidents
- March 3, 1992: An Everts Air Fuel Douglas DC-6BF (N151) exceeded the limits of the 960-meter icy runway at Selawik Airport, Alaska. The failure of reverse thrust led to the aircraft coming to rest on a frozen river, resulting in a collapsed landing gear. The plane sustained irreparable damage. All three crew members survived.
- October 4, 2000: While taxiing after touchdown at Port Alsworth Airfield, Alaska, a Curtiss C-46F Commando (N1822M) struck a tree. There were no injuries reported, but the aircraft suffered heavy damage that may have rendered it beyond repair.
- December 20, 2000: A Curtiss C-46 (N1419Z), engaged in fuel delivery to Nondalton runway, crashed into mountainous terrain during adverse weather conditions while returning to Kenai Airport. Both pilots lost their lives in this controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident.
- January 31, 2001: During landing at Donlin Creek Airstrip, Alaska, a Douglas DC-6B (N4390F), carrying 18,500 liters of fuel oil, encountered a hard touchdown on a snowy and uphill runway. This caused the left wing to detach and the aircraft to veer off the runway, resulting in total destruction. The three crew members survived.
- July 2, 2013: After landing at Fairbanks Airport, the right main landing gear of a Curtiss C-46F Commando (N1837M) failed due to metal fatigue. Both pilots escaped without injury; however, the aircraft sustained significant damage.
- August 1, 2019: A Douglas C-118A Liftmaster (N451CE) collided with a dirt berm upon landing at Candle 2 Airport, Alaska. This impact caused separation of the right main landing gear and damage to the fuselage. None of the three crew members were injured.
External links
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