What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-09-02 involved a Cessna T206H, registration N72598, at Chickaloon, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident were weather conditions consisting of clouds/mist and low ceilings, and the pilot's failure to obtain in-flight weather advisories…

VFR Flight into Mountainous Terrain After Weather Briefing Lacked Recent Observations (N72598)

On September 2, 2003, a Cessna T206H (registration N72598) was involved in an aviation accident near Chickaloon, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain while maneuvering. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A private pilot received a weather briefing that did not include the latest observations near a mountain pass, which later reported low visibility and an indefinite ceiling. The aircraft collided with terrain during the flight.

Weather Briefing and Flight Plan

At 0645, a private certificated pilot obtained a weather briefing from an FAA automated flight service station and filed a VFR flight plan. The planned route covered a 4.5-hour flight over terrain ranging from sea level to mountainous, with an eastbound transition through a mountain pass. The briefing included isolated areas of low visibility and forecast the mountain pass as VFR in rain showers.

The pass, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet msl, is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the accident site and about 7 miles north-northeast of the closest weather observation station. The briefing did not include weather observations from either side of the pass nor any pilot reports for the area, because the first observations near the pass for the day had not been received by the FAA when the pilot concluded the briefing at 0655.

Post-Briefing Observations

The first weather observation near the pass was posted to the FAA by a weather observer at 0659. That observation reported visibility of 1/2 statute mile in mist, an indefinite ceiling with a vertical visibility of 300 feet, and included a remarks section estimating that the pass was closed.

The pilot departed on the flight at 0752 and did not request any further weather information from the FAA during the flight.

Accident Circumstances

At 1005, near the time of the crash, the weather observation station reported the visibility as 1 statute mile, an indefinite ceiling with a vertical visibility of 300 feet, and again estimated that the pass was closed. The flight did not arrive at its destination and was reported overdue at 1522.

A relative of the pilot located the burning wreckage at about 2100 on the side of a mountain at an elevation of about 3,700 feet msl. The accident site was about 4 miles west of the weather observation station. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire.

Examination

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had collided upright with the terrain in about a 40-degree left bank. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any preimpact mechanical malfunction.

2003-09-02: Cessna T206H (N72598) — Chickaloon, AK