Cessna 206G accident near Whittier, AK
On April 17, 1996, a Cessna 206G (airplane) was involved in an accident near Whittier, AK. 2 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 17, 1996
- Place
- Whittier, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 206G · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 2 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 60.851°N, 148.031°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05499
NTSB summary
On April 17, 1996, about 1455 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious float equipped Cessna 206G, N244PL, collided with terrain about 3 miles southwest of Whittier, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by Jim Air Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger received serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated from Main Bay Hatchery, about 26 miles southeast of Whittier about 1400. The operator reported that the airplane was returning to Anchorage via Portage Pass (oriented from northeast to southwest) in the area of Whittier. The company reported the flight overdue at 1730. A company airplane then located the accident site at 1,100 feet mean sea level (msl) about 1758. The airplane's left wing and the floats separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported the weather conditions at the point of departure were a 1,000 foot ceiling with visibilities of 6 to 9 miles in a light mist and calm seas. About 8 miles from Whittier, the pilot indicated that the ceiling was 3,000 feet. He climbed to 2,000 feet and proceeded toward Portage Pass. As the flight approached the pass, the visibility began decreasing in light rain drizzle and haze. The pilot began to turn back toward Whittier but then noticed that he could see Portage Glacier, about 2 miles from his position. The
Probable cause
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were low ceilings and whiteout conditions.
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
