Sunday, September 24, 2017

Turbulence Encounter: Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N7070Q; fatal accident occurred September 22, 2017 near Ernest A. Love Field Airport (KPRC), Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 
 
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/N7070Q

Location: Perkinsville, AZ
Accident Number: WPR17FA213
Date & Time: 09/22/2017, 1635 MST
Registration: N7070Q
Aircraft: CESSNA 172L
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Turbulence encounter
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 22, 2017, about 1635 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7070Q, collided with mountainous terrain near Perkinsville, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. The airplane was registered to Peach Flyers LLC and was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona, at 1621 with an unknown destination.

The pilot told family members that he was planning to fly with his friend, who was the passenger, and stay in the traffic pattern at PRC performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided data from an airport surveillance radar sensor located in Seligman, Arizona (about 57 miles northwest of PRC), and audio recordings from the PRC air traffic control tower. The data revealed that, on the day of the accident, after contacting ground controllers, the pilot switched to the tower frequency and requested a departure to the northeast. The clearance was granted, and after taking off from runway 21R, a radar target with a transponder beacon code of 1200 entered the right downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and departed to the northeast. Over the next 2 1/2 minutes, the target climbed to a transponder-reported altitude of 7,175 ft mean sea level (msl), about 2,100 ft above field elevation, where it leveled off 2.75 miles northeast of the airport.

For the next 8 minutes, the target began a gradual descent while maintaining the northeast track and a ground speed about 110 knots (See Figure 1). The last target was recorded at 1632:47 traveling at a ground speed of 95 knots just west of the entrance to the Verde River Canyon at an altitude of 4,550 ft msl (750 ft above the river). Beyond the canyon entrance, the Verde River followed a meandering path to the southeast, eventually reaching the town of Cottonwood, Arizona, 15 miles away.

No radar data were available to indicate that the airplane ever emerged from the end of the canyon, nor was there any evidence that the airplane reached Cottonwood.

The following morning, the pilot's family and friends became concerned when they had not heard from him since the previous night. They alerted the local sheriff's department, and at 1108, the FAA issued an Alert Notice. The sheriff's department initiated a helicopter search using radar data and network-based cell phone signal analysis, and the wreckage was discovered about 1300 within the Verde River Canyon, 1.8 miles east-southeast of the last recorded radar target and 19 miles northeast of PRC (see Figure 2).

Figure 1 - Radar track and accident site

Figure 2 – Last radar target and wreckage site

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The 19-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, issued February 25, 2017. No personal flight records were located; they were presumed to have been destroyed by the postimpact fire.

According to his flight instructor, the pilot began flying in 2016, and had accrued about 120 hours total flight experience, including about 60 hours as pilot-in-command. The majority of his flight time was accrued in the accident airplane.

The instructor last flew with the pilot 2 days before the accident for about 1.5 hours, providing training in preparation for the pilot's instrument rating. He stated that the pilot was one of the most conscientious and conservative students he had ever flown with, rating his skill level and competency in the top 20% of students he had worked with.

The instructor was familiar with the Verde River Canyon and had flown through it with the accident pilot on one previous occasion. The reason for that flight was to teach the pilot the importance of maintaining coordinated flight with the correct use of the rudder pedals. They flew a Cessna 140 and entered the canyon near Cottonwood then flew the canyon from east to west. They flew just below the rim of the canyon walls, maintaining 500 ft separation from obstacles. About halfway through the passage, the river curve became too narrow and the canyon walls too tight to safely make a turn, so they climbed out of the canyon and over a ridge.

The instructor stated that he flew the canyon after the accident and noticed that the wreckage was located at the outer radius of the river bend, in exactly the area they had avoided.

The passenger was a high school friend of the pilot. They had both flown together in the accident airplane before, but the passenger was not a pilot. There was no evidence to suggest the pilot had flown the canyon with anyone other than his instructor. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 19, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/14/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/25/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 120 hours (Total, all aircraft), 100 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N7070Q
Model/Series: 172L
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 17260370
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/27/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 30 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4064.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A4M
Registered Owner: PEACH FLYERS LLC
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The airplane was manufactured in 1972 and was originally equipped with a 150-horsepower Lycoming O-320 engine. It was upgraded to a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 engine in 2005 in accordance with supplemental type certificate (STC) SA4428SW. The upgrade provided for an increase in maximum gross weight from 2,300 to 2,500 lbs, along with associated changes in flight performance and fuel consumption.

The airplane's fuel capacity was 42 gallons, and its fuel consumption varied between 6.1 and 10.3 gallons per hour depending on the airplane's weight, engine power setting, and environmental conditions. The airplane's weight and balance information was not located; however, the airplane owner's manual (AOM) indicated a typical basic empty weight of 1,364 lbs.

The airplane was owned by a limited liability corporation of which the pilot had been a member for about 1 year. The pilot was the predominant operator of the airplane during that period. The airplane was kept in a hangar.

The last fueling records located indicated that the airplane was serviced to capacity with the addition of 25 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline at Cottonwood Airport (P52) on September 8, 2017. The pilot who flew the airplane and serviced it with fuel stated that the airplane flew well that day and that there were no maintenance discrepancies. He further stated that fuel was typically purchased in Cottonwood, where the fuel prices were lower, before returning to PRC.

The accident pilot was the only pilot to fly the airplane since fueling, during the 1.5-hour instrument training flight that took place on September 20. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPRC, 5052 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 223°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 15 knots / 22 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: 
Wind Direction: 200°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: PRESCOTT, AZ (PRC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1621 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Surface Observations

PRC (elevation 5,045 ft msl) was equipped with an Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) augmented by the local tower controllers. The observation issued at 1653 indicated wind from 200° at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky below 12,000 ft, temperature 19°C, dew point -9° C, altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of mercury (Hg). Gusting wind conditions existed throughout the hottest parts of the afternoon, generally from 180° to 200°, sustained at 12 to 17 knots with gusts to 27 knots.

Similar conditions existed at Sedona Airport (SEZ), 18 miles east of the accident site at an elevation of 4,830 ft msl. The automated weather observation at 1635 indicated wind from 210° at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots, 10 miles visibility or greater, clear skies below 12,000 ft, temperature 21°C, dew point 3°C, altimeter 29.84 inches of Hg.

Sounding

A High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) numerical model was obtained from archived data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air Resource Laboratory database for the approximate location of the accident at 1700.

The HRRR model depicted a surface temperature of 23.2°C, a dew point of -3.9°C, relative humidity 16%, density altitude of 6,255 ft, and a surface wind from 210° at 11 knots. The sounding supported strong thermals from the surface to 9,000 ft.

The wind profile indicated south-southwesterly winds from 10 to 20 knots through 10,000 ft. Calculated conditions at the airplane's last radar-observed altitude of 4,550 ft included wind from 210° at 14 knots, a temperature of 21°C, and density altitude near 6,343 ft.

The National Weather Service Flagstaff 1700 sounding, which was launched 28 miles northeast of the accident location, showed similar temperature structures, but with a temperature inversion at 6,240 ft above ground level (agl) and strong thermals from the surface to this level. The wind profile showed wind at the surface from 190° at 10 knots gusting to 26 knots, with wind speeds through to 1,000 ft increasing to 24 knots. The observed sounding indicated a moderate potential for low-level wind shear and a moderate and greater potential for turbulence below 1,000 ft agl.

Pilot Reports and Local Observations

There were no significant pilot reports (PIREPs) of turbulence below 8,000 ft surrounding the period of the accident.

A flight instructor operating in the immediate vicinity of the accident at the time of the accident provided a statement of the conditions that he encountered. He reported south-southwesterly winds near 25 knots, with light turbulence through 9,000 ft. He stated that he did not encounter any significant weather, and indicated that it was an ordinary windy day for the area.

Weather Research and Forecasting Model Simulation

A Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical model was run to simulate the weather conditions during the period from 1600 through 1700 with regard to wind, vertical motion, and the Richardson number (Ri) for turbulence determination surrounding the time of the accident.

The results of the model supported moderate turbulence over the area, with wind speeds of 18 to 20 knots at the accident site about 1630, with vertical velocities ranging between 300 fpm down to 500 fpm up. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.884167, -112.156389 

The airplane came to rest at an elevation of 4,290 ft msl on 45° sloping walls at a river turn on the north cut bank of the canyon (See Figures 3, 4). The airplane was located about 200 ft below the canyon rim and 500 ft above the river. The area was strewn with sandstone slabs, rocks, and boulders up to 8 ft in size.


Figure 3 – View of the wreckage site (circled) toward the northwest

Figure 4 – Wreckage site

The airplane cabin and wings came to rest inverted on a heading of about 030° true. The aft fuselage and empennage had rotated 90° to the airplane's right, and the outboard right wing had folded underneath itself about midspan. Fire had consumed the main cabin and most of the right wing inboard of the aileron. The empennage and the left wing outboard of the pitot tube remained largely undamaged. The engine and firewall came to rest wedged between a set of boulders on the upsloping side of the wreckage (See Figure 5).


Figure 5 – Wreckage site viewed downhill toward turn in river

The wreckage was tightly contained within the immediate vicinity of the accident site, there was no damage to any of the surrounding terrain, and all control surfaces were accounted for. An examination of the engine and airframe was performed following recovery from the accident site. A complete report is contained in the public docket; the following is a summary of findings.

Fuselage

The fuselage from the firewall to the baggage door frame was consumed by fire. Remnants included the main landing gear, which was still attached to the lower box assembly. The left door had detached from the airframe and the right door was consumed by fire with only the window frame remaining.

The forward seats, with the exception of the steel seat adjustment components, were consumed by fire. Both the left and right front seat lap buckles were found in the latched configuration and the belts were consumed by fire.

Tail

The empennage remained attached to the aft fuselage. The left side of the aft fuselage was largely undamaged, and the right side sustained thermal damage along its entire length. The elevator remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer by its hinges; the elevator trim tab was in place and its control rod had extended 1.25 inches out of the actuator, consistent with a 5° trim tab-down (elevator up) position.

Left Wing

The left wing was intact except for thermal damage to the inboard leading edge at the fuel tank. The flap remained attached at its rails and the aileron remained attached by its hinges. The stall warning horn at the wing root was consumed by fire.

Right Wing

The inboard section of the wing was consumed by fire, with only remnants of the fuel tank, flap actuator assembly, outboard flap and rail, and wing spar remaining. The wing sustained accordion-like crush damage to the underside, outboard of the lift strut attach point. The flap actuator jack screw exhibited an extension of about 1/8 inch, consistent with fully-retracted flaps.

Engine

The engine remained attached to its mount, which was still attached to the crushed firewall. The engine sustained thermal damage, consuming the right magneto, the spark plug harness, oil sump, alternator, and the right side of the accessory case. The carburetor sustained extensive thermal damage, melting the float and destroying all gaskets. The fuel inlet line fitting was in place, and the inlet screen was free of obstructions.

Visual inspection of the combustion chambers was accomplished through the spark plug bores utilizing a borescope; there was no evidence of foreign object ingestion or valve damage and all combustion surfaces were coated in grey deposits.

The crankcase did not exhibit any breaches indicative of internal catastrophic failure. Drive train continuity was established and the camshaft and magneto drive idler gears were intact. The camshaft lobes and corresponding tappet contact areas appeared undamaged.

The propeller remained attached at the crankshaft flange. The tip of one blade had melted away about 24 inches from the root; the remaining section of the blade exhibited one-inch-deep leading-edge gouges midspan. The second blade was bent about 15° aft midspan, and its tip separated about 28 inches from the root.

Medical And Pathological Information

According to the autopsy performed by the Yavapai County Office of the Medical Examiner, Prescott Valley, Arizona, the cause of death for both the pilot and passenger was thermal injury with smoke and soot inhalation, along with multiple blunt force trauma.

Toxicology testing of both occupants was performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory. Testing was negative for carbon monoxide and all screened drug substances and ingested alcohol. Refer to the toxicology report included in the public docket for specific test parameters and results.

Tests And Research

Airplane Performance

The approximate radius of the bend in the river at the base of the canyon was 300 ft. The radius of the river canyon at the elevation of the wreckage was about 1,050 ft, and the radius at the canyon rim was 1,400 ft.

Airplane turning performance from Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators (NAVWEPS 00-80T-80), Figure 2.29, General Turning Performance (Constant Altitude, Steady Turn) indicated that an airplane with a true airspeed of 79 mph would have to bank 61° in order to fly a turn with a radius of 300 ft. At the same airspeed, an airplane would have to bank 27° in order to fly a turn with a radius of 1,050 ft.

The supplemental flight manual provided with the upgraded engine STC indicated that, at a gross weight of 2,500 lbs, with flaps up, the stall speed was 59 mph (calibrated airspeed). At bank angles of 20°, 40°, and 60°, the stall speed increased to 62, 68, and 84 mph, respectively.

The AOM provided maximum rate-of-climb data indicating that, with the airplane at a gross weight of 2,000 lbs, zero flaps, full throttle, and an indicated airspeed of 79 mph, the rate of climb at 5,000 ft and 20°C would be about 570 ft per minute.

Additional Information

The airplane was equipped with an ACK Technologies emergency locator transmitter (ELT), model E-01. It was manufactured in accordance with Technical Standard Order (TSO) C91a and transmitted on the 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz frequencies. Maintenance records revealed that the ELT was checked at the last annual inspection in accordance with 14 CFR 91.207d, and a label on the ELT indicated a battery expiration date of December 2022.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), which is responsible for coordinating inland search and rescue activities, receives ELT distress alerts via the Cospas-Sarsat program. The Cospas-Sarsat satellite system ceased processing signals from 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz ELTs in February 2009 and now only processes signals from 406 MHz ELTs built in accordance with TSO-C126a.

The ELT was found at the accident site in the "armed" mode. It remained attached to its mount in the tail and was still connected to the antenna, which was undamaged and remained mounted on the top of the aft fuselage. Because the fuselage was inverted, the antenna was resting upside-down against the ground, with its view of the sky obscured.


The pilot from the sheriff's department who located the airplane stated that, although he was performing grid searches just southwest of the accident site, the ELT signal did not aid in the discovery of the airplane, as he did not hear the signal until he was almost directly over the wreckage.

NTSB Identification: WPR17FA213
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, September 22, 2017 in Perkinsville, AZ
Aircraft: CESSNA 172L, registration: N7070Q
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

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 either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On September 22, 2017, about 1634 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7070Q, collided with mountainous terrain near Perkinsville, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed by post impact fire. The airplane was registered to Peach Flyers LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The local flight departed Ernest A Love Field Airport, Prescott, Arizona, at 1621. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

On the day of the accident, the pilot told his father that he was planning to fly with his friend, the passenger, and stay in the traffic pattern at Prescott performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.

Preliminary radar and audio data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that on the day of the accident, after making contact with Prescott ground controllers, the pilot switched to the tower frequency, and requested a departure to the northeast. The clearance was granted, and after taking off from runway 21R, a radar target which was presumed to be that of the accident airplane, entered the right downwind traffic pattern and departed to the northeast (Image 1). Over the next 2 ½ minutes the target climbed to an altitude of 7,175 ft mean sea level (about 2,100 ft above field elevation), leveling off 2.75 miles northeast of the airport.

For the next 8 minutes, the target began a gradual descent, while maintaining the northeast track. The last target was recorded at 1632:47, at an altitude of 4,550 ft, above the Verde River, and about 1,500 ft west of the entrance to Verde Canyon. The canyon followed the meandering path of the river to the east.

The following morning, family and friends of the pilot became concerned when they had not heard from him since the night before. They alerted the local Sheriff's department, and at 1108 the FAA issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT). The Sheriff's department initiated a search, and the wreckage was located by a captain from the air support unit at about 1300. The airplane was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter (ELT), and the captain stated that although he was performing grid searches southwest of the accident site for about 3 hours, he did not hear the ELT signal until he was almost directly over the wreckage site.

The wreckage was located on the north face of the canyon wall, at an elevation of 4,290 ft msl, about 200 ft below the canyon top, and 1.8 miles east-southeast of the last recorded radar target (Image 2). The airplane had come to rest inverted, with the cabin on a heading of about 030° magnetic. The tailcone had rotated 90° to the airplanes right, and fire had consumed the main cabin, and most of the left wing; the right wing and empennage remained largely undamaged.

Spencer Kihlstrom

Jeremiah Gene Linnertz 


Obituary: Jeremiah Gene Linnertz
    
Jeremiah Gene Linnertz, 1998-2017, 19 years of age. Plane Crash, Gone but never forgotten. Jeremy would like you to know that his work here on earth is done. He received a call, an offer that he could not refuse. This offer came with great rewards and a promised reunion with his beloved Grandpa Windsor. Jeremy was given the gift of life and now has been asked to give it back. This was hard but the call was made and in Jeremy’s true spirit, he did not refuse. 

Jeremy is survived by his mother, Wendy Windsor, and his father, Jeffrey Linnertz; his 4-month-old son, William James Linnertz; his 14-month-old daughter through love, Annabelle Jean Simpson; three loving brothers, Joey Linnertz, Nicholas Windsor and Cameron Rockey; two loving sisters, Michaela Alanis and Gianna “Anna” Rodriquez; his loving grandparents, Ron Linnertz, Sandra Tredway, Janice Antes and Randy Robinson; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends, who have been left with large holes in their hearts. 

Jeremy’s family asks that you spend time with your children, take a walk with your loved ones and make a toast while listening to good music to enduring friendships, lifelong and beyond. This is what Jeremy would wish for you. 

A celebration of Jeremy’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Chino Valley United Methodist Church, 735 E. Road 1 South in Chino Valley, Arizona. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Jeremy’s “GoFundMe Account” www.gofundme.com/linnertz-family-fund?d=186239676 

Arrangements entrusted to Chino Valley Funeral Home, on Palomino, in Chino Valley, Arizona.

Information provided by survivors.

https://www.dcourier.com

Jeremiah Linnertz (left) and Spencer Kihlstrom during an earlier flight. The two died over the weekend after the plane they were flying in crashed east of Paulden.



Two Chino Valley teens died following a small plane crash near Paulden over the weekend.

The wreckage of the airplane was discovered on Saturday, Sept. 23, several miles east of Paulden and Spencer Kihlstrom and Jeremiah Linnertz, both 19, were found dead at the scene, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Kihlstrom’s Facebook page indicated he was studying aviation, nearing completion of the operations and management program, at Yavapai College, was a graduate of Chino Valley High School and worked at Thumb Butte Bed and Breakfast. Linnertz worked at Cushman & Wakefield and graduated from Chino Valley High School as well, according to his Facebook page.

Kaytlin Stevens said she went to school with both Kihlstrom and Linnertz. It’s unreal what happened, Stevens said.

“They were both really kind,” she said, noting that neither of them stuck to specific groups of friends.

Kihlstrom was just a really nice person and Linnertz was very family oriented, Stevens said, remarking he leaves behind a baby girl and a child on the way. He was constantly posting about his daughter, she said.

Kihlstrom’s kindness is what everybody loved about him the most, said girlfriend Sammi Falls, describing him as kind, smart, funny and a great person and guy in general who worked harder than most.

“He accomplished so much in so little time,” Falls said. “He was everything to me … he changed my life and made me a better person.”

Kihlstrom strove to make everyone around him a better person, which shows what kind of person he was, she said.

Allen Foster, CTE/Drafting teacher at Chino Valley High School said he taught the two of them in his drafting class, remarking it’s “sad to see them pass so young.”

The Cessna 172L Skyhawk had been missing for 24 hours with the Sheriff’s Office being notified of a possible missing aircraft based out of the Prescott airport at about 11 a.m. Saturday. Electronic tracking efforts began immediately said YCSO Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn.

Surrounding local airports were checked without success and YCSO’s Rescue 1 helicopter was in the air searching as well. According to D’Evelyn, Rescue One spotted the downed aircraft near Perkinsville Ranch Land aided by cellphone tracking and confirmation from the plane’s Emergency Locator Transmitter. Initial overflight indicated the two did not survive the crash, confirmed when ground crews arrived on the scene.

Search and rescue crews worked with YCSO’s Forest Patrol on Saturday night to recover the bodies, aided by DPS Rangers due to the rugged terrain.

Original article can be found here ➤  https://www.cvrnews.com

UPDATE - SUBJECTS IDENTIFIED ..

The deceased have been identified as Spencer Kihlstrom, 19, and Jeremiah Linnertz, 19, both from Chino Valley.


Our condolences to the families.....

Media Release 
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
Scott Mascher – Sheriff
255 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ 86301
Dwight D’Evelyn - Media Coordinator 

September 23, 2017

Private Plane Crash Located – 2 Deceased 


PRELIMINARY INFORMATION – At approximately 11 AM today, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible missing aircraft based out of the Prescott airport. It had been at least 24 hours since last contact with the pilot. Electronic tracking efforts were initiated immediately. Just before noon, a confirmed missing aircraft report was issued by airport authorities identifying a single engine Cessna. Assisted by the Department of Public Safety, personnel checked all surrounding local airports without success. By now, YCSO’s Rescue 1 helicopter was in the air searching. Reports indicated 2 men occupied the plane.


Just before 1 PM, aided by cell phone tracking and confirmation from the plane’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Rescue 1 spotted the downed aircraft near Perkinsville Ranch land, several miles east of Paulden, Arizona. During the initial over flight, it appeared the 2 male adults did not survive the crash. Ground crews eventually arrived and confirmed that both adults were deceased.


Search and Rescue crews, working with YCSO’s Forest Patrol deputies, are currently in the process of recovering the bodies. DPS Ranger is aiding this effort due to the rugged terrain. 


Identities of the plane’s occupants will be released once family notifications have been completed.


No further details available at this time.

=======

Spencer Kihlstrom, 19, and Jeremiah Linnertz, 19, both from Chino Valley, have been identified as the victims in deadly plane crash near the Prescott Airport.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible missing aircraft based out of the Prescott airport. It had been at least 24 hours since last contact with the pilot. Electronic tracking efforts were initiated immediately. Just before noon, a confirmed missing aircraft report was issued by airport authorities identifying a single engine Cessna. Assisted by the Department of Public Safety, personnel checked all surrounding local airports without success.


Just before 1:00 p.m., aided by cell phone tracking and confirmation from the plane’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Rescue 1 spotted the downed aircraft near Perkinsville Ranch land, several miles east of Paulden, Arizona. Ground crews eventually arrived and confirmed that both young men were deceased.


Original article ➤ https://arizonadailyindependent.com


Two men were killed in a plane crash Friday morning after taking off from the Prescott airport, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.


Officials have not released the identities of those in the plane, and the investigation is ongoing. 


According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, officials were notified Saturday morning of a single-engine Cessna that had been missing for at least 24 hours. 


A search was initiated. Just before 1 p.m. Saturday, the Sheriff's Office's rescue helicopter located the plane with the help of cell phone tracking and the plane's Emergency Locator Transmitter near Perkinsville Ranch several miles east of Paulden.


Officials arrived at the crash site and confirmed both men had been killed. Search and rescue crews Saturday night were still working to recover the bodies due to the rugged terrain in the area, according to the Sheriff's Office.


Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.azcentral.com


Missing aircraft located near Perkinsville Ranch land.


At approximately 11 AM today, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible missing aircraft based out of the Prescott airport. It had been at least 24 hours since last contact with the pilot. Electronic tracking efforts were initiated immediately. Just before noon, a confirmed missing aircraft report was issued by airport authorities identifying a single engine Cessna. Assisted by the Department of Public Safety, personnel checked all surrounding local airports without success. By now, YCSO’s Rescue 1 helicopter was in the air searching. Reports indicated 2 men occupied the plane.


Just before 1 PM, aided by cell phone tracking and confirmation from the plane’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Rescue 1 spotted the downed aircraft near Perkinsville Ranch land, several miles east of Paulden, Arizona. During the initial overflight, it appeared the 2 male adults did not survive the crash. Ground crews eventually arrived and confirmed that both adults were deceased.


The deceased have been identified as Spencer Kihlstrom, 19, and Jeremiah Linnertz, 19, both from Chino Valley. The families have been notified.


Search and Rescue crews, working with YCSO’s Forest Patrol deputies, are currently in the process of recovering the bodies. DPS Ranger is aiding this effort due to the rugged terrain.


Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.prescottenews.com

1 comment:

  1. Spencer was a wonderful young man. I am sure his friends were/are. A terrible loss, fine men gone.

    ReplyDelete