Friday, February 07, 2020

Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance, N7632C: Fatal accident occurred February 06, 2020 in Tuntutuliak, 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
Paklook Air, Bethel, Alaska 

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N7632C

Location: Tuntutuliak, AK
Accident Number: ANC20FA017
Date & Time: 02/06/2020, 1110 AKS
Registration: N7632C
Aircraft: Piper PA32R
Injuries: 5 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled 

On February 6, 2020, about 1110 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-32R-300 airplane, N7632C, sustained substantial damage during impact with terrain about 12 miles west of Tuntutuliak Airport (A61), Tuntutuliak, Alaska. The commercial pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated by Paklook Air Inc., doing business as Yute Commuter Service, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a scheduled visual flight rules (VFR) commuter flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure and arrival airports at the time of the accident, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Bethel Airport (PABE), Bethel, Alaska, about 1040, and was destined for Kipnuk Airport (PAKI), Kipnuk, Alaska.

The pilot was conducting a scheduled flight from PABE to PAKI, then Chefornak Airport (PACK) and back to PABE with mail and passengers. The first flight segment was about 100 nautical miles (nm) to the southwest coastal village of Kipnuk. (See figure 1.) According to the company flight following log, the pilot called outbound at 1034. A pilot from another company stated that the accident airplane departed right before his airplane under a special VFR departure clearance and the cloud ceiling was 600 ft overcast.

Figure 1. The accident site and route airports

According to the company's flight following notes, the village agent from PAKI called the company flight follower at 1140 and reported the airplane overdue. The company president, who was exercising operational control, initiated their overdue airplane procedures. The Federal Aviation Administration, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and the Alaska State Troopers were notified. No emergency locator transmissions (ELT) were received. About 1315 the company dispatched two airplanes to search for missing airplane. A crew located the wreckage along the route from PABE to PAKI. An Army National Guard UH-60 based in PABE launched to the scene with two LifeMed medical personnel onboard who determined that the occupants had received fatal injuries.

On February 7, 2020, a team of Alaska State Troopers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bethel Fire Department, Tuntutuliak search and rescue personnel and a National Transportation Safety Board investigator traveled to the accident scene via snow machine and airplane. The wreckage was highly fragmented along a westerly track about 390 ft long on level snow covered tundra at a GPS elevation of 37 ft. All major components were located at the scene. The wings were separated from the fuselage, with extensive damage to the right wing, which was in three sections. The main wreckage was at the west end of the debris pattern and consisted of the upright fuselage, empennage and engine sections. The engine and forward fuselage were displaced 80° to the right with extensive fore to aft crush damage. See figure 2.

Figure 2. N7632C wreckage at the accident scene

The airplane was not equipped with a tracking device, functional ADS-B, recorder devices or a GPS with non-volatile memory. The Bethel area does not have air traffic control radar services, therefore, there is no available track information for the flight.

A detailed wreckage examination is pending following recovery.

The pilot began initial training with Paklook Air on January 7, 2020, with total flight time of 611 hours. He completed a pilot competency check ride on January 27 and initial operating experience requirements on January 30. The accident flight was his fourth line flight and he had accumulated 30 hours in the accident airplane make and model before the accident.

The closest official weather observation station to the accident site was PABE located about 50 miles northeast of the accident site. The 1056 observation reported wind from 320° at 4 knots; 5 statute miles visibility in mist; overcast clouds at 800 ft; temperature 3° F; dew point 1° F; and an altimeter setting of 29.68 inches of mercury.

The PAKI weather observation at 1056 reported wind from 020° at 17 knots; 9 statute miles visibility in light snow, overcast clouds at 600 ft; temperature -8° F; dew point -11° F; and an altimeter setting of 29.70 inches of mercury.

In the hour after the accident, both the departure and intended destination airports reported low instrument flight conditions down to as low as ½ statute mile visibility in light snow, mist, and freezing fog with ceilings as low as 400 ft.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N7632C
Model/Series: PA32R 300
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Paklook Air Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter Air Carrier (135); On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As: Yute Commuter Services
Operator Designator Code: T72A

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PABE, 102 ft msl
Observation Time: 1953 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 44 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -16°C / -17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 800 ft agl
Visibility:  5 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.68 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Bethel, AK (BET)
Destination: Kipnuk, AK (IIK)  Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 4 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 60.351667, -163.023056 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Yute Commuter Service has released the name of the pilot killed in a plane accident on February 6th along the lower Kuskokwim River that also killed four passengers. The pilot, Tony Matthews, was flying a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance from Bethel to Kipnuk that crashed about 11 miles southwest of Tuntutuliak.

“He was a great, great person,” said Yute Commuter Service General Manager Nathan McCabe about pilot Mathews. 

“It’s very unfortunate. The guy was a very happy, enthusiastic person. All I can say to be honest with you is he’s a great man, happy, a great worker. I couldn’t ask for anyone better,” McCabe said.

McCabe issued a statement from Yute in response to the accident: 

“On Thursday at approximately at 11 a.m., a Yute Commuter Service Piper PA-32R tail number N7632C, crashed about 11 miles west of Tuntutuliak while in route to Kipnuk and Chefornak, resulting in five casualties: the pilot Tony Mathews and four passengers. The names of the passengers are being withheld until the notification of their next of kin. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time. The NTSB will conduct a full and thorough investigation. Yute Commuter Service offers our deepest condolences of the families of those lost in this unfortunate event. We will be closed on February 7th, 2020. Yute Commuter Service is committed to do everything possible to provide safe and reliable air travel within the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.”

McCabe says Yute is offering counseling to its staff and gave workers the day off on Friday.

“We told them to please take the day, so they could gather their thoughts. It impacted our community very, very strongly,” said McCabe.

McCabe says his office is gathering information to give to the National Transportation Safety Board so they can investigate the crash. He says all Yute planes have been grounded since news of the accident, and he did not state when the airline would resume flights.

The names of the four deceased passengers have not been released. 

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.kyuk.org

Tuntutuliak Federal Aviation Administration weathercam view February 7th, 2020.


Frigid wind chills Friday on the Southwest Alaska tundra blocked attempts to reach the wreckage of a Yute Commuter Service plane crash that killed five people Thursday, troopers said.

The plane’s pilot and four passengers died in the crash 12 miles south of Tuntutuliak, troopers said Thursday night. The plane had left Bethel and was headed to Kipnuk, about 100 miles southwest of Bethel.

The air service on Friday afternoon identified the pilot as Tony Matthews. Yute’s general manager, Nathan McCabe, told KYUK that Matthews was “a very happy, enthusiastic person. All I can say to be honest with you is he’s a great man, happy, a great worker. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

The wreckage of the Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance was located at 1:50 p.m. Thursday after troopers were informed it was overdue.

An Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was dispatched out of Bethel, said Candis Olmstead, the National Guard’s director of public affairs. Rescuers, including a trooper and two LifeMed Alaska medics, were on the scene at 4:15 p.m., Olmstead said.

On Friday, Alaska State Troopers were attempting to get back to the scene and move forward with recovery efforts. The scene is accessible only by snowmachine and air, according to Tim DeSpain, a public information officer with the troopers. The wreckage is in an area of flat, snow-covered tundra, said Clinton Johnson, chief of the Alaska Regional Office of the NTSB.

“They’re making every safe possible attempt that they can,” DeSpain said.

Wind chills were around 40 below zero Friday, he said.

Noreen Price, an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board, was on her way to Bethel Friday morning from Anchorage to begin investigating the crash, Johnson said. In Bethel, she’ll coordinate with state troopers on investigations and recovery efforts, Johnson said.

A meteorologist from the NTSB is gathering archived weather information, Johnson said.

The plane’s wreckage will likely be taken to Bethel or Anchorage, Johnson said. NTSB investigations of this nature tend to take a year to 18 months, Johnson said.

Yute is a commuter airline based in Bethel, according to the company’s website, and flies throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

In April of last year, a Yute charter flight on its way to Bethel from Aniak crashed and four people aboard the plane were uninjured, according to a troopers report. In November, a Yute pilot was uninjured after a crash in Goodnews Bay, about 115 miles south of Bethel, according to KYUK.

McCabe said Yute is offering counseling to its staff and gave workers the day off Friday while canceling all flights.

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

ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - UPDATE

An official with Yute Air Commuter confirmed with Channel 2 Friday the name of the pilot involved in the deadly plane crash near Tuntutuliak.

Yute’s general manager, Nathan McCabe, told Channel 2 the pilot was Tony Matthews.

Original Story

Five people are dead after a commuter aircraft crashed near Tuntutuliak in Southwest Alaska.

Alaska State Troopers say the Yute Commuter plane, traveling from Bethel to Kipnuk, was reported missing at 1:45 p.m. Thursday. Four passengers and a pilot were on board.

The plane was found within minutes, according to officials, in a location about 12 miles south of Tuntutuliak. All five people on board were confirmed deceased, AST said.

Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead with the Alaska National Guard said a Blackhawk Helicopter with AK Army National Guard arrived to the scene south of Bethel, near Tuntutuliak, at about 4 p.m. and returned to Bethel within the hour.

AST Spokesperson Tim DeSpain added Thursday evening that conditions in and around the crash site may make it especially difficult for an investigative and rescue or recovery effort to be executed, particularly with the rural nature of the crash location.

"It was relatively quick that the site was located," DeSpain said, "but the challenges can definitely come in with the difficulty of getting to the site and actually having boots on the ground."

DeSpain said attempts will be made Friday to get back into the site, weather permitting, and will likely include Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and the Bethel Fire Department. Alaska's National Transportation Safety Board chief, Clint Johnson, said an investigator was en route to the site as of Thursday, though he could not say whether or not that individual had already made it to Bethel.

When contacted by phone for a request for comment, a Yute Commuter representative simply said, "No comment." The company's Facebook page administrator posted a note around 3:30 p.m. that all flights for Friday, Feb. 7, had been cancelled, following a prior post stating that Thursday morning flights had been put on hold because of a low ceiling in Bethel.

Authorities are also working to notify the families of the victims and officials say their names cannot be released until that procedure is considered complete.

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

Cessna 182T Skylane, N60381: Fatal accident occurred February 06, 2020 in Chatham, Jackson Parish, Louisiana

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.
 

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 

https://registry.faa.gov/N60381

Location: Chatham, LA
Accident Number:CEN20FA075 
Date & Time: 02/06/2020, 1413 CST
Registration: N60381
Aircraft: Cessna 182
Injuries: 3 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

On February 6, 2020, about 1413 central standard time, a Cessna 182 airplane, N60381, registered to an LLC, impacted the ground in Chatham, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and 2 passengers sustained fatal injuries. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at 1307 from the Jackson-Hawkins Field Airport (HKS), Jackson Mississippi, and was enroute to its intended destination of Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), Shreveport, Louisiana.

Preliminary radar data showed the airplane was enroute to its planned destination (SHV), about 6,000 ft when the pilot reported to Monroe Air Traffic Control (ATC) that he was encountering rime ice and requested a lower altitude. About 1350, ATC cleared the airplane to descend to 4,000 ft. The pilot queried ATC on the chances of being cleared to 2,000 feet and was advised 3,000 ft was the lowest he could be cleared to.

About 1355 the pilot requested and was cleared to 3,000 ft. The pilot then asked ATC to divert into Ruston Regional Airport (RSN) to remove ice off of the airplane. ATC vectored the airplane to the RNAV GPS 36 approach to RSN with a clearance to 2,000 ft until established on the approach. Radar contact was lost prior to the airplane reaching the initial approach fix (IAF) for the approach. Preliminary ADS-B data showed the airplane's ground speed slowing and a rapid descent before the radar contact was lost. Other than the report of ice, no distress calls were received from the pilot.

The airplane impacted a parking area surrounded by commercial buildings. Several workers in the building heard the impact. A first responder reached the accident site minutes after the impact, and shortly after his arrival, a post-impact fire ensued.

Examination of the airplane showed that it impacted the ground in a near vertical nose down attitude on a southerly heading next to a commercial building. The engine separated from the fuselage and was laying next to the initial impact crater. Both left and right wing leading edge impressions were present in the soft dirt on either side of the impact crater. According to a first responder, the airplane initially came to rest with the left wing against the building and the airplane sitting tail high. Subsequently, a post-impact fire occurred which consumed a majority of the fuselage and the left wing.

Both wing leading edges were crushed aft to the forward spar. All of the flight control surfaces remained attached to the aircraft, and no anomalies other than impact and fire damage were observed on the flight control cables to the ailerons and rudder. All flight instruments were consumed by the post-impact fire and Garmin G1000 data cards were not found. The engine was examined for drive continuity and compression and no pre-impact anomalies were discovered. All engine accessories that could be examined did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.

A preliminary weather study of the area revealed that several other aircraft that were operating in the area reported ice at various altitudes near the accident location. The nearest weather reporting facility (RSN), located about 14 miles northeast of the accident site, reported the cloud ceiling in the area at 1,100 ft overcast. The temperature was 2 degrees C, and dew point -1 degrees C.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N60381
Model/Series: 182 T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RSN, 311 ft msl
Observation Time: 1215 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 290°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1100 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.7 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Jackson, MS (HKS)
Destination: Shreveport, LA (SHV)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.314444, -92.440556 

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.



"Bob"
William Robert Gilliam III

William Robert Gilliam III, known to his friends as Bob, was born January 26th, 1959 in Columbus, Georgia and died unexpectedly in Chatham Louisiana on February 6th, 2020. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Erin Soleto-Gilliam, daughters Kelsey Elise Gilliam and Kailey Alaina Gilliam, his father William Robert Gilliam Jr, sister, Laura Gilliam Bryant and husband Carl, nephews James (JC) Bryant and spouse Kaylee and Jacob Bryant. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Murrell Gilliam Lampkin and step-father Frank M. Lampkin. 

Bob grew up in Shreveport- Bossier City. He traveled after College, was a proud veteran of the United States Army and a long-time resident and active community member of Minden Louisiana. Bob developed a love for flying as a child.  He was a skilled A&P licensed aircraft mechanic and pilot, and he was passionate about his flying career. Bob enjoyed hobbies that included many sport cars, riding motorcycles and road trips with his “buddies.” Being with family was what Bob loved most — grilling burgers, traveling, going on runs, filming recitals and soccer matches and any event that included cheese! His proudest accomplishment was being the father of his two beautiful daughters. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A reception celebrating his life will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Orleans on Main 518 Main Street, Minden LA 71055 from 1-3 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you direct any donations to Minden High School, The Bob Gilliam Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 838, Minden, LA  71055.


Wade Williams
 Northwestern State University 2009-12



Wade Williams, a former Northwestern State football player and team captain, was recently promoted to chief operating officer at Rehabilitation Services. He was pursuing a PhD. in counseling psychology at Louisiana Tech while studying sleep disorders, assessment, and psychotherapy.

Williams, 29, lived in Bossier City with his wife Amanda and a daughter Rosalie.

He played football at Northwestern State from 2009-12. In 2012, he earned the team's Latino Award. The award is given to the player who shows exceptional effort, unselfishness, leadership and character. The award is given in honor of the school's late Lester Latino, a two-time all-conference player.

As a defensive lineman, Williams was a two-time All-Southland Conference honorable mention (2010, 2012) selection.  He made the SLC's All-Academic team in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was Northwestern State's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2011-12. He was also the school's Jack Clayton Award winner in 2012. The Jack Clayton Award goes to a senior who is dedicated to academics and show coach Clayton's trademark characteristics of leadership, integrity and work ethic.

"We had a different relationship,'' said Jay Thomas, who was Williams' defensive line coach at NSU. "It wasn't player-coach. It was more like a brother relationship. Really close. Very sad. I'm heartbroken. It's hard to talk about.''

Thomas praised Williams for his intelligence, his humor and his passion.

"I think we had one of our longest conversations back during football season,'' Thomas said. "He was driving somewhere and I was driving to Tennessee. We stayed on the phone for an hour and a half. The conversation went from religion to football to his work, my work, the whole nine yards.''

Said former Northwestern State sports information director Doug Ireland, "My first recollection is not about Wade Williams the football player or teammate -- and he was a great teammate and great leader. But it would be the man, the husband, the father, the Christian. There was just not a more pure person, pure goodness than I saw in him.

"He and his wife Amanda were a spectacular couple. He had so much to give this world. It's just a tragic loss.''

Christopher Quentin Mudd


Bossier City - Christopher Quentin Mudd, 35 passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M., with the funeral directly following at 12:30 P.M. on Wednesday, February 12th at St. Marks Cathedral.

Chris Mudd was a native of Benton, Louisiana and a resident of Bossier City, Louisiana. Chris was the CEO of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, which he took great pride in. Although Chris was early in his career, he became a significant mover and shaker in the world of behavioral health. His unique blend of vision, innovation, brilliant business acumen and his unrelenting advocacy for those struggling with behavioral health issues is what made him a force of nature. Chris has been instrumental in providing quality behavioral health services in Louisiana and Mississippi. His contribution to changing the face of behavioral health care is enormous. Chris has served as consultant to many health care organizations, advocacy groups, public institutions, legislators and providers to help lead and transform care for those who struggle with mental health issues. His footprint is large personally and professionally. As an avid tennis player, Chris was an active member of the Shreveport-Bossier tennis community. Chris is widely known throughout the state of Louisiana for his fierce competitive nature and no apologies attitude on and off of the tennis courts. He was the captain of many local teams who won the Louisiana State Tournament and advanced to Sectionals. Chris was easily recognized by his choices of clothing. The only thing brighter than the outfits he wore was his personality.

Chris is proceeded in death by his maternal grand-father, Donald C. Whitehead, his paternal grand-mother, Kathryn Faye Mudd, and his paternal grand-father, Francis Lee Mudd.

He is survived by his wife, Lauryn Mudd. Parents Vicki W. Mudd and David Quentin Mudd. Sons Braylen Sterling Mudd and Chanler Phillips Mudd. Favorite uncle Donald L. Whitehead and maternal uncle Michael Whitehead. Brother-in-law Tyler Semmes and Sister-in-law Kari Anne Semmes.

The family requests that in Lieu of flowers donations be made to Home Federal Bank of Shreveport, Louisiana in Braylen and Chanler's name to go towards their education. Chris was a large advocate for education and his son's educations were of the upmost importance to him.

The family would like to express the sincere appreciation from the bottom of our hearts to all of the friends who are family that have stood by us and cared for us through this difficult time. A special thank you to Chip Bordelon, Billy Means, and Matthew St. Amant for everything.



Jackson Parish Sheriff's Department
February 6th, 2020

The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office received two 911 calls this afternoon around 2:11 PM, that a small plane had crashed just outside of the city limits of Chatham, La on Louisiana Hwy 34.

Monroe Regional Airport confirmed that they lost a plane on radar at that same time. The plane was traveling from Jackson – Hawkins Airport out of Jackson, MS and enroute to Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, La.

The plane was a Cessna 182T Skylane with three occupants onboard. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene by the Jackson Parish Coroner’s Office. The Coroner’s Office will send them off for autopsy.

At this time names of the occupants will not be released until all family members can be notified.

The reason for the plane crash is still under investigation and will continue to be investigated by the FAA.















CHATHAM, Louisiana — Investigators scoured the wreckage and ground here Friday searching for clues to what caused Thursday's deadly plane crash in Jackson Parish that killed all three aboard the Cessna 182T Skylane bound for Shreveport.

But a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman told USA Today Network it could take as long as two years — and no sooner than a year — before a final report and answer are posted.

Chris Mudd and Wade Williams, both of Shreveport-Bossier and both executives of Rehabilitation Services of Northwest Louisiana, and Minden pilot Robert Gilliam of Minden died in the crash.

All three leave behind families and children.

"It's just a terrible tragedy," said Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown, who turned over the investigation to NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration officials Friday morning after securing the accident scene overnight after recovering the victims Thursday.

The impact occurred in a small area between a building and trees without room to have skidded very far.

"It looks like it just fell out of the sky," Brown said Thursday and again Friday.

The Cessna 182T Skylane was owned by Matthew St. Amant of Shreveport-Bossier, who owns Rehabilitation Services.

Mudd was the chief executive officer and Williams had recently been promoted to chief operating officer, said St. Amant's brother-in-law state Sen. Jay Luneau of Alexandria.

The men were flying from Jackson, Miss., to Shreveport, when the airplane crashed about 2:13 p.m., grazing David Greer's logging company, on Louisiana 34.

Though nobody witnessed the crash, Brown said one witness saw the plane descending to a level he thought was dangerously low.

Greer's employees were less than 25 yards from impact and heard a startling explosion soon after the crash. "It was loud and terrible," Leroy Stubblefield said.

Original article ➤ https://www.thenewsstar.com

Visual Flight Rules encounter with Instrument Meteorological Conditions: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, N24MG; accident occurred February 06, 2020 near Murray Field Airport (KEKA), Humboldt County, California








Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland, California

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://registry.faa.gov/N24MG

Location: Eureka, California
Accident Number: WPR20CA089
Date & Time: February 6, 2020, 06:56 Local
Registration: N24MG
Aircraft: Cessna 208 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: VFR encounter with IMC
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled

Analysis

While the pilot was on a visual approach to the airport and descending over water on the left base leg, about 100 ft above the water's surface, the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions with no forward visibility. The pilot looked outside his left window to gauge the airplane's altitude and saw "black waves of water approaching extremely rapidly." He tried to pull back on the yoke to initiate a climb, but the nosewheel contacted the water. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted in the water. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's delayed response to initiate a go-around during a night visual approach over water after the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of forward visibility and subsequent impact with the water.

Findings

Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot
Environmental issues Low visibility - Effect on personnel

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern base VFR encounter with IMC (Defining event)
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline transport; Flight instructor
Age: 57,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: June 24, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 6, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 10156 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1282 hours (Total, this make and model), 9644 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 153 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 51 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N24MG
Model/Series: 208 B 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2000 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 208B0850
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 2, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8752 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time: 19184 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney Canada
ELT: C126 installed, activated 
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-42A
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 850 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: ACV
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 06:45 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 190°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility: 9 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Sacramento, CA (MHR )
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Arcata/Eureka, CA (ACV )
Type of Clearance: IFR;VFR flight following
Departure Time: 05:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MURRAY FIELD EKA
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 10 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 12 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3011 ft / 75 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.823333,-124.14167(est)
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Humboldt Bay Fire

WATER RESCUE - HUMBOLDT BAY

On 02/06/2020 at 7:24A.M., Humboldt Bay Fire resources were dispatched for a water rescue in Humboldt Bay near Woodley Island along with the U.S. Coast Guard.

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan carrying one pilot had crashed into the Bay after losing visibility in the fog attempting to land at Murray Field Airport.

Working together with the U.S. Coast Guard Humboldt Bay boat and helicopter, Humboldt Bay Fire Water Rescue Team members boarded a Port Authority vessel and began a search for the plane in the water which was heavily impeded by heavy morning fog. Land resources including fire engines, command, and Sheriff’s vehicles patrolled the boundaries of the bay attempting location as well.

The pilot was located at 7:49A.M. atop his overturned plane and was pulled out of the water by Humboldt Bay Fire personnel at 7:52A.M, just 28 minutes after the initial dispatch. We are happy to report that the pilot suffered no major injuries, and has been transported to the hospital for observation and treatment of minor cold exposure.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to acknowledge the work of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office for scene control, unified command, and water search, the Harbor District and Port Authority for their cooperation and resources, as well as Eureka Police Department 9-1-1 Dispatch who remained on the line with the pilot and aided in his discovery.

This incident highlights the efficiency of work that can be accomplished when our joint agencies work together, and we are so thankful for the relationships we have with our partner agencies.

SECOND UPDATE:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies are plucking what appear to be Amazon packages that were inside the plane that crashed into Humboldt Bay this morning out of the water.

The pilot was rescued in “good condition” and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.

UPDATE:

Humboldt Bay Fire reports the pilot “suffered no major injuries” and was taken to St. Joseph Hospital for “observation and treatment of minor cold exposure.”

PREVIOUS:

A pilot was rescued from atop his partially submerged plane after crashing in Humboldt Bay this morning.

The pilot reportedly called 911 while standing on the plane's landing gear as it was sinking into the bay shortly before 7:30 a.m.

“A pilot just landed in the Bay,” the dispatcher reported.

The pilot reported he was on the east end off of Woodley Island, according to the dispatcher. He told her he could hear a responding helicopter but couldn't see the Samoa Bridge because of dense fog.

Firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard responded but had difficulty finding the plane due to the fog. At about 7:40 a.m., the pilot reported to the dispatcher that he could see the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, which was still having trouble locating him. A few minutes later, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office launched a rescue boat.

Shortly after 7:50 a.m., the Coast Guard helicopter told the dispatcher it was lowering its hoist with a rescue swimmer to the downed plane. At 7:55 a.m., the dispatcher reported the crew had recovered the pilot and was en route to St. Joseph Hospital.

With the pilot safely transported, crews from various agencies have turned their attention to the plane and voiced concerns about the potential for a fuel spill in the bay.

Original article ➤ https://www.northcoastjournal.com





UPDATE, 10:39 a.m.: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office notes that its deputies are currently fishing numerous packages out of the bay near the site of this morning’s delivery plane crash.

UPDATE, 9:03 a.m.: According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane is a Cessna 208B single-engine plane belonging to Redding Aero Enterprises, Inc.

It had just flown up toward ACV from Sacramento, according to flight records.

UPDATE, 8:50 a.m.: Capt. Libby Tonning — aka “Capt. Zippo” — is at the scene of the crash aboard the vessel Mr. C Street and sends along photos from nearby. Tonning says that they’re setting an anchor to the plane right now to secure the thing while they figure out what they’re going to do next.

UPDATE, 8:20 a.m.: Paramedics and Humboldt Bay Fire personnel have left the scene now that the pilot has been rescued. Now it’s a question of getting the plane out of the bay.

Lt. Kevin Miller of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office tells the Outpost’s Ryan Burns, at the scene that the plane is upside-down and mostly submerged on a mud flat. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified, and will decide whether to forward the incident to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Miller said that the pilot was alert, conscious and talking when the Coast Guard picked him up, and confirmed that he called in his own plane crash to 911.

Original Post: A small Cessna crashed into Humboldt Bay this morning somewhere to the east of Woodley Island. The pilot apparently was able to extricate himself from the plane and called emergency dispatchers.

At just before 8 a.m., the Coast Guard helicopter crew recovered the pilot and is transporting him to St. Joseph Hospital, according to scanner traffic.

The plane — a small Cessna — was reportedly shrouded in fog this morning, and rescuers had a difficult time locating it. The Coast Guard, Humboldt Bay Fire and the Sheriff’s Office established a unified command post on Woodley Island.

Original article ➤ https://lostcoastoutpost.com

Landing Gear Collapse: Beech B200 Super King Air, N405PT; accident occurred February 06, 2020 at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS), Missouri

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St. Louis, Missouri

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

 
https://registry.faa.gov/N405PT


Location: St Louis, MO 
Accident Number: CEN20LA084
Date & Time: 02/06/2020, 1400 CST
Registration: N405PT
Aircraft: Beech 200
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On February 6, 2020, about 1400 central standard time, a Beech Super King Air B200, N405PT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near St. Louis, Missouri. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that this was the first flight after a phase maintenance inspection was completed on the airplane. He had just picked the airplane up from the maintenance facility and intended to fly it to Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri. Upon departure from North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK), North Little Rock, Arkansas, the pilot heard the main landing gear retract but the gear indication light remained red, indicating a gear in-transit status. The pilot reported that he had experienced this anomaly before and was not concerned.

During the approach to SUS, the pilot heard the main landing gear extend but did not receive three green landing gear indication lights. The pilot visually confirmed that the main landing gear were extended but could not see the nose landing gear. He requested a low pass in front of the air traffic control tower who confirmed all of the landing gear appeared to be down. The pilot went through the emergency landing gear extension procedure to manually extend the landing gear and felt resistance on the handle, consistent with the landing gear being extended. The pilot stated that at this point he believed that there was a wiring issue with the landing gear indicator light.

The pilot explained that he attempted to slow the airplane down as much as possible before touching down and the landing seemed normal until the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to correct with right rudder input, but it had no effect, so he used right brake to steer the airplane back to the right. The airplane turned hard right, exited the runway, and the airplane slid left wing first into the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector (ASI) who responded to the accident, the airplane came to rest with all three landing gear collapsed. The landing gear handle was in the "DOWN" position. There were skid marks and propeller strike indications on the runway leading to the point that the airplane left the pavement; consistent with the nose landing gear collapsed prior to departing the runway surface. The FAA ASI reported that the nose landing gear upper drag brace, the nose landing gear actuator, and the nose landing gear steering links were all fractured during the accident sequence. The damage to the nose landing gear assembly precluded further texting and investigators were not able to determine which component failed first. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-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 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/03/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/11/2019
Flight Time:  4075 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1325 hours (Total, this make and model), 3953 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N405PT
Model/Series: 200 B200
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: BB-930
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/05/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 12500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 4065.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: 
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-42
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 850 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSUS, 462 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1354 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 248°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1200 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.71 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: North Little Rock, AR (ORK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: St Louis, MO (SUS)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1300 CST
Type of Airspace: Class B

Airport Information

Airport: Spirit Of St Louis (SUS)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 463 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:26L 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7485 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.750000, -90.360000 (est)