History of Flight
On September 2, 2011, at about 1335 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 208B (N207DR) and a Cessna 207 (N73789) collided in midair approximately 9 miles north of Nightmute, Alaska. Both airplanes were operated as Part 135 charter flights under visual flight rules. The Cessna 208B was operated by Grant Aviation Inc., and the Cessna 207 by Ryan Air. The sole occupant of the Cessna 208B, an airline transport pilot, sustained fatal injuries. The sole occupant of the Cessna 207, a commercial pilot, was uninjured. The Cessna 208B was destroyed; the Cessna 207 sustained substantial damage. After the collision, the Cessna 208B descended uncontrolled and impacted tundra-covered terrain, with a postcrash fire consuming most of the wreckage. The Cessna 207's right wing was damaged, and the pilot performed a forced landing on tundra-covered terrain. Both airplanes were returning to Bethel Airport at the time, having departed from Toksook Bay Airport (Cessna 208B at 1325) and Tununak Airport (Cessna 207).
The Cessna 207 pilot reported that after takeoff from Tununak, she communicated with the Cessna 208B pilot on a prearranged radio frequency and they agreed to meet in flight. While she was in level cruise at 1,200 feet msl, the Cessna 208B flew alongside left, then unexpectedly climbed over her airplane. She told the other pilot she could not see him and was concerned. The Cessna 208B pilot said, "Whatever you do, don't pitch up." Moments later, she saw the Cessna 208B's wings and cockpit pass by the right side of her airplane, followed by an impact with her airplane's right wing. After impact, she struggled to maintain control and saw the Cessna 208B pass underneath from right to left, then enter a steep, vertical descent before hitting the tundra. The Cessna 207 pilot selected a forced landing site about 2 miles east of the Cessna 208B's accident site. During touchdown, the nosewheel collapsed and the airplane nosed down.
Personnel Information
The Cessna 208B pilot, age 24, held an airline transport pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land ratings. His total flight time was 3,710 hours, with 875 hours in the Cessna 208B. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued December 23, 2010, with no limitations. He had flown 3.0 hours on the day of the accident.
The Cessna 207 pilot, age 25, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. Her total flight time was 1,670 hours, with 216 hours in the Cessna 207. Her most recent first-class medical certificate was issued April 28, 2011, with no limitations. She had flown 3.0 hours on the day of the accident.
Both pilots had a close personal relationship, as reported by their respective company officials.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 208B was a single-engine turboprop with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A engine (675 hp) and a Hartzell three-bladed propeller. Total time in service was 8,483 hours. Its paint scheme was white with red accent striping; wings and tail surfaces were white.
The Cessna 207 was a single-engine airplane with a Continental Motors IO-520F engine (300 hp). Total time in service was 19,562.9 hours. Its paint scheme was red and black with silver accent striping; wings and tail surfaces were red.
Meteorological Information
At 1356, the weather observation station at Toksook Bay Airport reported wind 130 degrees at 14 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast ceiling at 1,100 feet, temperature 46°F, dew point 42°F, altimeter 29.84 inHg. Pilots in the area reported unlimited visibility with patchy clouds between 1,500 and 2,000 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The Cessna 208B wreckage showed extensive ground impact and fire damage. Most of the fuselage, cockpit, and engine were embedded in a crater. The empennage separated from the fuselage; the vertical stabilizer and rudder were severed. Red paint transfers matching the Cessna 207's wing were found on the vertical stabilizer's leading edge. A portion of the Cessna 207's right aileron was found about 1,400 feet west of the Cessna 208B's main wreckage.
The Cessna 207 wreckage was about 2 miles east. The right wing trailing edge was extensively damaged; about 48 inches of the right aileron was missing. A piece of crushed wreckage painted white, identified as a Cessna 208 vertical stabilizer doubler (part number 2631000-16), was embedded in the right wing trailing edge.
Communications
Both pilots communicated on a prearranged radio frequency of 126.30 MHz. They were operating in Class E airspace and were not in contact with air traffic control. Radar coverage was not available at their altitude.
Medical and Pathological Information
A postmortem examination of the Cessna 208B pilot attributed cause of death to extensive thermal charring; blunt force injury could not be excluded. No toxicological examination was performed due to lack of suitable specimens.