Everts Air Cargo DC6 at Nuiqsut on Nov 25th 2013, load shift on takeoff

An Everts Air Cargo Douglas DC-6, registration N100CE performing a charter freight flight from Nuiqsut,AK to an unnamed oil drilling site (USA) with 3 crew, was in the initial climb shortly after takeoff when the first officer noticed the elevator controls were momentarily stiff. The aircraft continued the climb. Enroute the flight engineer inspected the cargo and found that two of four 31 feet long oil drilling tools had shifted and damaged the aft pressure bulkhead. The aircraft landed at their planned destination without further occurrence.

The NTSB reported on Mar 21st 2014, that post flight inspection revealed the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the aft pressure bulkhead, various frames, stringers and structural longerons. Several attachments for elevator control pulleys were damaged, the flight cable control guides were damaged. The aircraft's pressurization system had been removed years ago when the aircraft had been converted to a freighter.

The airline stated that after loading and before departure the crew had checked the five nylon strapping mechanisms that secured the four drilling tools to the aircraft floor. All five straps were tight before departure, one of the straps may however slightly loosened during taxi for departure. The drilling tools were covered with snow and ice which may have contributed to the tools sliding along the aluminium, diamond-plate covered floor of the aircraft.