Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Controlled Flight into Terrain: Cessna U206G Stationair 6, N1738R; fatal accident occurred September 24, 2018 in Rainy Pass, Alaska

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Regal Air; Anchorage, Alaska
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 
 
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 


https://registry.faa.gov/N1738R

Location: Rainy Pass, AK 
Accident Number: CEN18FA386
Date & Time: 09/24/2018, 1032 AKD
Registration: N1738R
Aircraft: CESSNA U206
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

On September 24, 2018, at 1032 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna U206G airplane, N1738R, impacted mountainous terrain about 13 miles west of Rainy Pass Lodge Airport (6AK), Rainy Pass, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Laughlin Acquisitions LLC and was being operated by Regal Air as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD), Anchorage, Alaska, at 0930 and was en route to a private airstrip on the southwest side of the Alaska Range about 30 miles west of the accident site.

The operator reported that the purpose of the flight was to deliver about 400 lbs of lumber to the private airstrip, pick up two passengers, and return to LHD. The Regal Air chief pilot was flying the same flight path in another company Cessna 206 and departed 16 minutes after the accident pilot. He was in radio contact with the pilot throughout the flight and most of the communications were related to the weather conditions and cloud coverage along the route of flight, including that the weather conditions could change rapidly. The chief pilot also heard the accident pilot in radio communication with the owner of Rainy Pass Lodge, but he could only hear the pilot's side of the conversation. The chief pilot lost radio contact with the accident pilot about 1030 and assumed that he had proceeded into Rainy Pass and no longer had line of sight for radio contact.

The owner of Rainy Pass Lodge stated that he saw the accident airplane fly over his lodge and that he made radio contact with the pilot. He stated that he could see Long Lake Hills, which is about 8 miles southeast, and that the cloud coverage to the southeast was more significant than it was to the northwest near Rainy Pass, and it appeared to be dissipating. When the chief pilot reached Long Lake Hills, he did not feel comfortable continuing the flight due to the low clouds so he turned around and returned to LHD.

The operator was tracking the airplane's flight path using Spidertracks (figure 1) and noticed that the track stopped at 1031. A review of the Spidertracks flight data revealed that the airplane changed altitude multiple times, descending as low at 450 ft above ground level (agl) at some points. During the final 7 minutes of the flight the airplane's altitude was between 1,400 ft and 1,900 ft agl, with the final recorded point at 1,000 ft agl and descending. About 30 minutes after the track stopped and the operator was unable to contact the pilot, an Alert Notice was issued for the missing airplane, and the Alaska Air National Guard conducted an aerial search mission to locate the airplane. The wreckage was discovered near the end of a mountain valley on a steep mountain side about 3.5 miles southwest of the mouth of Goodman Pass and next to a box canyon.

Figure 1 – Flight track from Spidertracks 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 25000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 291 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 150.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the pilot a second class special issuance medical certificate on October 20, 2017, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. The special issuance was for obstructive sleep apnea and was first granted in 2014.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N1738R
Model/Series: U206 G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:1978 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: U20604588
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-F
Registered Owner: LAUGHLIN ACQUISITIONS LLC
Rated Power: 300
Operator: Regal Air
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPTI, 1858 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1858 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 85°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1200 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2700 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:  10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.53 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (LHD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  AKD
Type of Airspace: Class E; Class G

The closest weather observation station to the accident site was located at 6AK. The human weather observer for 6AK reported the following observations. At 0848, wind from 160° at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots, visibility 7 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 ft, overcast cloud layer at 4,000 ft, temperature 5°C, dewpoint 4°C, and barometric pressure of 29.56 inches of mercury. At 1058, wind from 140° at 10 knots, visibility 7 miles, scattered clouds at 1,200 ft, broken clouds at 2,700 ft, temperature 6°C, dewpoint 5°C, and barometric pressure of 29.53 inches of mercury.

The Alaska Aviation Weather Unit issued AIRMETs Sierra, Tango, and Zulu at 0724 for instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions and mountain obscuration in clouds and precipitation, for moderate turbulence below 12,000 ft and isolated severe turbulence within 8,000 ft agl, and for moderate icing conditions between 8,000 ft and flight level (FL) 180 with the freezing level between 4,000 and 5,000 ft. The accident site was located on the border of the forecast areas, which were valid at the time of the accident.

An area forecast indicated that, after 0700, scattered clouds at 500 ft msl, broken ceiling at 1,500 ft msl, and overcast skies at 3,500 ft msl with cloud tops to FL180 were expected with visibilities of 3 miles in light rain and mist. East of Sparrevohn, Alaska, (including the accident area) isolated ceilings of 3,500 ft msl were expected, and east of a line from Sparrevohn to Nikolai, Alaska, (including the accident area) surface winds from the east to southeast at 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots were forecast.

The flying weather chart indicated IFR conditions forecast for the accident site with areas of wind greater than 30 knots. Occasional to continuous moderate turbulence was forecast for the accident site between the surface and 12,000 ft msl.

The chief pilot stated that, on the day of the accident, he and the accident pilot had reviewed weather information beginning at 0800 until just before their departures. The weather information reviewed included the area forecasts and imagery from FAA's aviation weather cameras. In addition, they received text messages regarding the weather conditions at their intended destination. A pilot report relayed to them about 0815 reported 30 to 40 knot winds and low visibility. The accident pilot received an updated report about 0915 that the wind had decreased to 20 knots for the area near his destination, and he departed shortly after receiving this phone call. About 0940, while en route, the accident pilot radioed to the company for someone to review the weather cameras and provide an update on the weather along his route of flight. The chief pilot stated that he elected to takeoff with the expectation that both pilots would return if the weather was unsuitable.

Figures 2 and 3 are images from the cameras near 6AK that depict low layers of stratocumulus clouds surrounding 6AK around the accident time.


Figure 2 – Facing north at 1017 AKDT

Figure 3 – Facing northwest at 1022 AKDT 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 62.072778, -153.184722

On September 26, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, an FAA inspector, and the Regal Air chief pilot traveled to the accident site via helicopter and documented the accident site and wreckage. The main wreckage was located about 4,400 ft mean sea level (msl) on the east side of a steep, loose rock-covered mountainside and was partially covered in snow. The initial impact point, identified by the propeller assembly and cockpit debris, was located about 4,700 ft msl. Figure 4 shows a photo from about the same altitude and heading as the accident airplane's final Spidertracks point, which faces south into the box canyon. The figure shows the initial impact area circled in red. The mountain tops at the back of the box canyon were about 5,000 ft mean sea level.


Figure 4 – Accident location facing south, impact area circled in red

The first responders reported that the rescue helicopter's rotor wash blew the wreckage off its perch and it slid down the face of the slope to its final resting point. A debris path of airplane wreckage was found along the slope leading to the main wreckage.

A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed significant impact damage signatures to the leading edges of the wings and the lower fuselage. The propeller assembly had separated from the crankshaft flange and the blades exhibited significant leading-edge gouges, chordwise scratches, and curled blade tips. The engine oil pan was evenly crushed upward into the bottom of the engine. The examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The airplane was equipped with an engine data monitor (EDM) that recorded basic engine parameters, which included cylinder head temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures and fuel flow. A review of the EDM data did not reveal any anomalies.

Medical And Pathological Information

The pilot's sleep apnea report 1 month before his most recent medical exam (about 1 year before the accident), showed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) usage of 92% for greater than 6 hours, with a apnea-hypopnea index of 4.6, which denotes no sleep apnea. The pilot also reported chronic headaches, high blood pressure, and arthritis in the right knee. He reported the headaches had improved with CPAP usage.

The Alaska State Medical Examiner's Office, Anchorage, Alaska, conducted an autopsy of the pilot. The autopsy report concluded that the cause of death was multiple blunt-force injuries. The autopsy was unremarkable with no signs of natural disease.

Toxicological testing of urine and liver specimens by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected an unquantified amount of diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine available over the counter in many products used to treat colds, allergies, and insomnia. It's often marketed under the names Benadryl and Unisom. Diphenhydramine undergoes postmortem distribution and central levels may be three times higher than peripheral levels. Additionally, the non-sedating high blood pressure and migraine headache medication, propranolol, was detected in liver tissue, and acetaminophen and salicylate (found in aspirin) were detected in urine. Blood was not available for testing.

Additional Information

Emergency Locator Transmitter

The Alaska Air National Guard, who conducted the search and rescue mission to locate the airplane, did not receive a signal from the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT). During the wreckage examination, the ELT did not exhibit any significant damage and the antenna was still connected. The investigation was unable to determine why the ELT did not transmit after the accident.

Location: Rainy Pass, AK
Accident Number: CEN18FA386
Date & Time: 09/24/2018, 1032 AKD
Registration: N1738R
Aircraft: CESSNA U206
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

On September 24, 2018, at 1032 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna U206G airplane, N1738R, impacted mountainous terrain about 13 miles west of Rainy Pass Lodge Airport (6AK), Rainy Pass, Alaska. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Laughlin Acquisitions LLC and operated by Regal Air under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a visual flight rules on-demand cargo flight. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Lake Hood Seaplane Base (PALH), Anchorage, Alaska, and was destined for a private airstrip on the southwest side of the Alaska Range about 30 miles west of the accident site.

The operator reported that the purpose of the flight was to deliver about 400 lbs of lumber to the private airstrip, pick up two passengers and return to the PALH. The operator was tracking the pilot's flight path using Spidertracks (figure 1) and noticed the track stopped at 1031. An Alert Notice was issued for the missing airplane and the U.S. Air Force Alaska Rescue Coordination Center conducted an aerial search mission to locate the airplane. The wreckage was discovered near the end of a mountain valley on a steep mountain side about 3.5 miles southwest of the mouth of Goodman Pass.


Figure 1 – Spidertracks route

The Regal Air chief pilot was flying the same flight path in another company Cessna 206 and was about 20 minutes behind the accident pilot. He was in radio contact with the pilot throughout the flight and most of the communications were related to the current weather conditions and cloud coverage along the route of flight. The chief pilot inquired about how the pilot flew through certain areas along the route in order to stay clear of the clouds. The chief pilot also heard the accident pilot in radio communication with the owner of Rainy Pass Lodge, but he could only hear the pilot's side of the conversation. The pilot lost radio contact with the accident pilot about 1030 and assumed that he had proceeded into Rainy Pass and no longer had line of sight for radio contact. When the chief pilot reached Long Lake Hills he did not feel comfortable continuing the flight due to the low clouds so he turned around and proceeded back to PALH.

The closest official weather observation station is located at 6AK. The weather observer for 6AK reported the following observations. At 0659 wind from 170° at 10 knots, visibility 7 statute miles (sm), light rain, overcast cloud later at 7,000 ft, temperature 6° C, dewpoint 6° C, and a barometric pressure of 29.58 inches of mercury. At 0848 wind from 160° at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots, visibility 7 sm, scattered clouds at 1,500 ft, overcast cloud layer at 4,000 ft, temperature 5° C, dewpoint 4° C, and a barometric pressure of 29.56 inches of mercury. At 1058 wind from 140° at 10 knots, visibility 7 sm, scattered clouds at 1,200 ft, broken clouds at 2,700 ft, temperature 6° C, dewpoint 5° C, and a barometric pressure of 29.53 inches of mercury.

The owner of Rainy Pass Lodge at 6AK stated that he saw the accident airplane fly over his lodge and he made radio contact with the pilot. He stated that he could see Long Lake Hills from 6AK, which is 8 miles southeast, and that the cloud coverage to the southeast was a lot more significant than it was to the northwest near Rainy Pass, which appeared to be dissipating.

On September 26, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and members of the investigative team traveled to the accident site via helicopter and documented the accident site and wreckage. The main wreckage was located about 4,400 ft mean sea level (msl) on the mountain side and was partially covered in snow. The initial impact point, identified by the propeller assembly and cockpit debris, and was located about 4,700 ft msl. Figure 2 is a photo taken from the same altitude and heading as the final Spidertracks point received from the airplane; the figure shows the initial impact area circled in red. The first responders reported that the rescue helicopter's rotor wash blew the wreckage off its perch and it slid down the face of the slope to its final resting point. A debris path of airplane wreckage was found along the slope leading to the main wreckage.

Figure 2 – Accident site, impact area circled in red

On September 28, the wreckage was recovered from the mountain side and transported to a secure facility for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N1738R
Model/Series: U206 G
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Regal Air
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPTI
Observation Time: AKD
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C / 6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.61 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (LHD)
Destination: , AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude:  62.072778, -153.184722


Dave Oberg, commercial pilot.


Dave Oberg has worked for Regal Air since 2002. 


An airplane crash in the Rainy Pass area on Monday took the life of veteran pilot, David Oberg, it has been reported by Alaska State Troopers on Tuesday.

The crash was reported to the Alaska State Troopers on Monday evening at 5:43 pm and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center dispatched to the crash area, where they located the aircraft, a Cessna 206, and the pilot, the only occupant, deceased.

Oberg’s remains were transported to Joint Base Elmendorf-Fort Richardson where they were turned over to the State Medical Examiner’s office.

Oberg, 67, was flying for Regal Air, located on Lake Hood at the time of the incident. He had started flying in the skies over Alaska in his teens and had been a commercial pilot for over 40 years. He had been flying with the Regal Air team since 2002.

In his off-time, Oberg taught aviation science at a local high school.

Oberg’s death marks the second pilot fatality for Regal Air this year. 24-year-old Colt Richter died in a crash near Willow Lake on July 18th.

The National Transportation Safety Bureau is investigating the crash but has yet to release their preliminary report into the cause of the crash.

Oberg’s next of kin have been notified of his death.

Original article can be found here ➤https://alaska-native-news.com



ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - One man is dead after the small plane that he was piloting crashed in the area of Rainy Pass.

Carl David Oberg, 67, a pilot flying with Regal Air Services at Lake Hood, died after the Cessna 206 he was piloting crashed.

Alaska State Troopers confirmed the death in a dispatch report early Tuesday morning. They were notified of the crash itself at 5:43 p.m. Monday.

According to AST, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center responded to the area of Rainy Pass and located the plane and Oberg, the sole occupant on board, deceased.

Oberg's body was transported back to JBER, where the State Medical Examiner took possession of his body.

So far there is no preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Bureau into what caused the crash.

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

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