Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N4261T
Location: Pilot Point, AK
Accident Number: ANC17TA015
Date & Time: 01/16/2017, 1520 AKS
Registration: N4261T
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Structural icing
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled
On January 16, 2017, about 1520 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N4261T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to snow-covered terrain about 5 miles south of the Pilot Point Airport (PNP), Pilot Point, Alaska. The airline transport pilot and sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Van Air Inc., Dillingham, Alaska, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 commercial on-demand passenger flight. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed PNP about 1505 destined for Port Heiden Airport (PTH), Port Heiden, Alaska.
The pilot stated that the chartered passenger flight originated from Dillingham Airport (DLG), Dillingham, about 1350 destined for PTH with one passenger. While en route over the Pilot Point area, at an altitude of 800 feet and about 48 miles from the destination, the windshield started accumulating trace ice. The pilot landed the airplane at PNP and called the PTH village agent who reported the destination weather to be good with visibility 10 miles, clouds at 3,000 feet scatted, and no reported icing. The pilot asked the passenger if she knew anyone in Pilot Point that she could stay with that night, and she responded no and stated that she preferred to return to Dillingham if the airplane could not make it to the destination. The pilot decided to take off and continue the flight toward the intended destination to "take a look," and if the weather deteriorated, he would return to Dillingham.
According to the pilot, the airplane departed PNP and continued southwest at 800 feet. About eight miles south of PNP, the wind screen started to accumulate ice, so he maneuvered the airplane back toward the north as planned. The passenger stated that after departing PNP, the visibility deteriorated, and the airplane was in clouds or fog after it turned around, and the engine did not sound right. The pilot stated that the aircraft began accumulating light structural ice and the engine started "running rough." He turned on the carburetor heat and engine performance was restored briefly. About 6 miles south of PNP at 500 feet, severe icing and visibility below 1 mile was encountered. The flight controls became sluggish, all the windows started icing over rapidly, and the engine surged with strong propeller vibrations. The airplane would not maintain altitude and descended through 400 feet. The pilot performed a forced landing on an easterly heading near the King Salmon River and Ugashik River confluence. During the landing sequence, the right main landing gear and the nose landing gear sheared off due to impact with ground ice. The fuselage, right wing, and right horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. (Refer to figure 1.) The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries during the impact and successfully egressed the airplane. Together they operated the Emergency Locator Transmitter, a mobile marine radio and the strobe light to effect rescue. The passenger, using her cell phone, called the Federal Aviation Administration Flight's Service Station in Dillingham to report the accident. A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter extracted the survivors from the remote location about 1830.
The closest weather reporting facility is PNP, about 5 miles north of the accident site. At 1521, an aviation special weather report (SPECI) stated in part: wind from 140 degrees at 5 knots; sky condition, overcast at 1,600 feet; visibility 1 ¾ statute miles in light snow; temperature 7°F; dewpoint 1°F; barometric pressure 29.23 inches mercury.
A review of the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit graphic forecast charts indicated marginal VFR conditions along the route of flight with no significant icing or turbulence forecast. There were no published pilot reports (PIREPs) of icing conditions in the area. Also, the pilot stated that he obtained weather information form National Weather Service online services and determined no significant weather was forecast.
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Figure 1. N4261T PA-32-260 wreckage at the accident scene.Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/18/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/19/2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 12824 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9873 hours (Total, this make and model), 12778 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 67 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N4261T
Model/Series: PA-32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32-7200013
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/20/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4120.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-540-E4B5
Registered Owner: VANDEVENTER MATTHEW S
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: VAN AIR INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: Van Air
Operator Designator Code: V5DA
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAPN, 56 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1521 AKS
Direction from Accident Site: 346°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 1.75 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1600 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -13°C / -16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration
Departure Point: PILOT POINT, AK (PNP)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: PORT HEIDEN, AK (PTH)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1505 AKS
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 57.495000, -157.540000 (est)
NTSB Identification: ANC17LA015
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Monday, January 16, 2017 in Pilot Point, AK
Aircraft: PIPER PA-32, registration: N4261T
Injuries: 2 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On January 16, 2017, about 1520 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N4621T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to snow-covered terrain about four miles south of the Pilot Point Airport, Pilot Point, Alaska. The certificated airline transport pilot and sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Van Air Inc., Dillingham, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) commercial on-demand flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and activated. At the time of the accident, day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Pilot Point Airport, about 1507 destined for Port Heiden Airport, Port Heiden Alaska.
During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on January 18, the pilot stated that at 1350 he departed Dillingham Airport, destined for Port Heiden, but elected to land along the route at Pilot Point Airport due to light ice accumulation on the windscreen. While on the ground at Pilot Point Airport, he called the Port Heiden Airport agent to obtain the current weather observation. In an interview with the NTSB IIC on January 18, the airport agent stated that at 1505, the weather was observed to be visual meteorological conditions with winds from the northwest at 25 knots, visibility over 10 miles, clouds scattered at 3,000 feet, and occasional light snow. The pilot stated that he decided to continue with his flight plan to Port Heiden, which was 48 miles southwest of Pilot Point.
According to the pilot, he departed Pilot Point Airport at about 1507 and continued southwest at about 800 feet. About eight miles from Pilot Point, the engine started "running rough" and the pilot noted ice accumulation on the windscreen. He turned back north toward Pilot Point and selected carburetor heat on. He said that the airplane started to accumulate more ice on the windshield and the wing leading edges, and the flight controls felt sluggish. He noted decreasing altitude and engine performance and about 400 feet he elected to make a forced landing on the ice-covered tundra near the King Salmon River and Ugashik River confluence. The airplane landed at 1520 and during the landing sequence, the right main landing gear sheared off and the right wing sustained substantial damage due to impact with ice. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries during the impact. They exited the airplane and together managed to operate the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), mobile marine radio and strobe light to effect rescue. The passenger, using her cell phone, called the Federal Aviation Administration Flight's Service Station in Dillingham to report the accident. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the accident at about 1531 and a MH-60 helicopter arrived on site at 1830 to extract the occupants.
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation
The closest weather reporting facility is Pilot Point Airport, about four miles north of the accident site. At 1521, an aviation special weather report (SPECI) stated in part: wind from 140 degrees at 5 knots; sky condition, overcast at 1,600 feet AGL; visibility, 1 ¾ statute miles in light snow; temperature 7 degrees F; dewpoint 1 degree F; barometric pressure 29.23 inHG.
=================
Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said in an email Tuesday that those on board the plane, a Piper Cherokee 6 operated by Van Air, were 54-year-old pilot Matthew Vandeventer and 53-year-old passenger Gerda Kosbruk.
Vandeventer was taken to Providence Anchorage Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition Tuesday morning. A Providence spokesman said Kosbruk wasn't listed at the Anchorage hospital or at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center.
Word that the plane crashed between Pilot Point and Port Heiden reached troopers at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, according to an online dispatch.
"Preliminary investigation revealed the flight originated from Dillingham with two persons on board and was en route to Port Heiden," troopers wrote. "The aircraft had landed in Pilot Point due to inclement weather before departing Pilot Point bound again for Port Heiden, when it crashed."
The Rescue Coordination Center in Anchorage was informed, and a Coast Guard helicopter was sent to the area from Air Station Kodiak. In addition, residents of Pilot Point and Port Heiden conducted ground searches.
The Coast Guard helicopter crew found the crash site at about 6:15 p.m., troopers said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Wegman said the region of the crash saw snow showers Monday, including a "mist" of fine powder, reducing visibility at both Port Heiden and Pilot Point.
"In the 2 to 3 p.m. hour (at Port Heiden), it was low as a mile and a quarter, still considered light snow," Wegman said. "At Pilot Point at about 3 o'clock, they were at 1 mile visibility and light snow as well."
Winds at Port Heiden were 20 to 25 mph from the northwest Monday afternoon, Wegman said, but Pilot Point had lighter winds.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Noreen Price said Tuesday that she had spoken with Vandeventer, who said the plane experienced severe icing soon after taking off from Pilot Point.
"He decided to turn back and head for Pilot Point, and after he turned back he encountered heavy icing on the propeller, the wings, the windshield," Price said. "He was forced to make a landing where he did, about 4 miles southeast of Pilot Point."
Source: https://www.adn.com
Update: U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located downed aircraft and is preparing pilot and passenger for medical transport.
Original: Pilot, passenger believed alive but injured after Van Air chartered flight between Pilot Point, Port Heiden went down Monday afternoon. Passenger been able to communicate by cell phone. US Coast Guard enroute from Kodiak.
A chartered air taxi flying between Pilot Point and Port Heiden on the Alaska Peninsula is believed to have gone down not long after takeoff Monday afternoon.
Update: State troopers confirmed at 9:00 p.m. Monday that both the pilot and passenger on board the Piper Cherokee that went down near Pilot Point had survived and had been transported away from the scene by the US Coast Guard. The aircraft, which was reported down around 3:30 p.m., was located by the USCG a little past 6:00 p.m., and the survivors were transported away by helicopter a little more than an hour after that. Both the passenger, Gerda Kosbruk, and the pilot, Matt Vandeventer, were injured.
The flight originated in Dillingham and was taking Kosbruk home to Port Heiden. State troopers say Vandeventer landed in Pilot Point due to inclement weather before attempting to continue on. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, a few miles southeast of Pilot Point. From the scene, the passenger relayed to authorities that the plane had iced up after takeoff and they crashed. Witnesses in Pilot Point reported hearing the plane go down, according to AST.
Update as of 6:45 p.m.:
Alaska State Troopers report that the passenger and pilot were found on scene of the downed Piper Cherokee aircraft, and that the U.S. Coast Guard crew is preparing both for medical transport. State troopers believe the aircraft is located approximately a few miles southeast of the village, near the King Salmon River. The nature of the injuries has not been reported. The helicopter crew has trained medical personnel onboard.
The flight had taken off from Pilot Point towards Port Heiden when it crashed. The passenger, who was able to contact others by phone afterwards, reported the plane had iced up shortly after takeoff.
As of 5:15 p.m. Monday, Alaska State Troopers believe the two people onboard an aircraft that went down near Pilot Point are alive but injured, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter is enroute on a rescue mission from Kodiak.
"We received a report at the King Salmon post that an air taxi had just crashed in the vicinity of Pilot Point," said Sgt. Luis Nieves. "It looks like the aircraft is an air taxi owned and operated by Van Air out of Dillingham. The aircraft appeared to be enroute to Port Heiden when the aircraft iced up and crashed."
State troopers say the pilot is Matt Vandeventer of Dillingham, and the passenger is Gerda Kosbruk of Port Heiden. The information was relayed to the troopers by a person contacted by Kosbruk after the plane had crash landed. Kosbruk relayed that the "aircraft had iced up and crashed," Nieves said. "The passenger then followed up with texts stating that they’re injured, that she believes she has a broken leg and that the pilot may be seriously injured as well, but that they’re both alive."
According to Sgt. Nieves, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter out of Air Station Kodiak, and a ground search effort led by the Pilot Point VPSO was also enroute. Visibility was less than one quarter mile and had grounded a state trooper aircraft from joining the search.
"Right now we are trying to get to the scene as fast as possible," said Sgt. Nieves. He said witnesses in Pilot Point reported hearing the plane go down.
Vandeventer pilots a Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six.
Source: http://kdlg.org
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - Two people survived a plane crash in the Bristol Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula on Monday.
According to Alaska State Troopers, emergency crews were notified at 3:29 p.m. of an aircraft crash between the villages of Pilot Point and Port Heiden.
A US Coast Guard helicopter was launched from Kodiak to rescue the injured occupants.
Residents of the villages of Pilot Point and Port Heiden assisted in the ground search as well, Troopers say.
The plane was flying from Dillingham to Port Heiden with two people on board.
The two occupants who survived the crash were transported to a nearby medical facility. The names of the people involved will be released by authorities when their families have been properly notified.
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