History of Flight
On August 31, 2016, about 1001 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 208B (Grand Caravan), registration N752RV, and a Piper PA-18-150 (Super Cub), registration N82452, collided in midair near Russian Mission, Alaska. The Cessna, operated by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., dba Ravn Connect, as flight 3190, was a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 135. It departed Russian Mission Airport (PARS) about 0958, destined for Marshall Don Hunter Senior Airport (PADM). The Piper, operated by Renfro's Alaskan Adventures, Inc., departed Bethel Airport (PABE) about 0907 as a VFR guided hunting operation flight under 14 CFR Part 91, transporting a passenger to a remote hunting camp. Company flight following procedures were in effect for both flights.
The Cessna carried an airline transport pilot and two passengers; the Piper carried a commercial pilot and one passenger. All occupants sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area.
Flight track data from the Cessna's ADS-B and the Piper's GPS indicated the Cessna departed runway 17 at 09:58:50, while the Piper was about 5.1 nm west and 1.3 nm south, flying northbound at 1,700-1,800 ft msl at about 70 knots. The Cessna climbed and turned northwest, leveling at 1,760 ft msl at 10:01:00. At 10:01:28, the aircraft collided at 1,760 ft msl with a closure rate of about 145 knots. The Piper approached from ahead and left; the Cessna approached from the right. Both operators reported no preimpact mechanical failures.
Personnel Information
The Cessna pilot, aged 48, held an airline transport pilot certificate with single-engine, multiengine, and instrument ratings. His most recent first-class FAA medical certificate, dated January 15, 2016, required corrective lenses. He had approximately 18,810 total flight hours and had completed all required training.
The Piper pilot, aged 44, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and sea, multiengine, and instrument ratings. His most recent second-class medical certificate, dated August 8, 2016, had no limitations. He had about 5,000 total flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 208B, manufactured in 2014, was a fixed-gear, high-wing, single-engine turbine aircraft with seating for a pilot, co-pilot, and 9 passengers, plus a belly cargo pod. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine. At the time of the accident, it had 811 hours since its most recent approved inspection on July 18, 2016. Maintenance records showed no discrepancies.
The Piper PA-18-150, manufactured in 1978, was a tailwheel-equipped, high-wing, single-engine aircraft with tandem seating and a belly cargo pod. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320 reciprocating engine. It had 3,559 hours since its most recent annual inspection on May 26, 2016. Maintenance records showed no discrepancies.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in rolling hills with heavy vegetation. The Cessna's main wreckage came to rest about 1/2 mile west of the Piper. The Cessna's initial impact point, at 610 ft msl, showed a nose-down attitude. The engine was buried; debris scattered. The main wreckage was inverted and heavily damaged. Flight control continuity could not be established due to impact damage. All major components were accounted for, except a portion of the outboard left wing and stabilizer located about 430 ft southwest.
The Piper's wreckage rested at 580 ft msl, nose oriented at 340°. The fuselage was on its right side with the top missing. Both wings separated. The empennage was relatively intact. The engine and propeller appeared intact. Flight control continuity could not be established. All parts were accounted for except the propeller spinner and left wing root fairing. The spinner was found about 630 ft southwest.
Examination revealed black and white paint transfer on the Cessna's outboard left wing and on the Piper's right forward wing strut, consistent with contact. All fracture surfaces showed overload separation. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found.
Communications
The Cessna's cockpit was too damaged for operational testing. The Piper's transceiver showed active frequency 123.675 MHz and secondary 122.90 MHz. The common traffic advisory frequency at both airports was 122.90 MHz. Neither airport had a control tower. The collision occurred in Class G airspace. No FAA radar coverage existed in the area.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies of both pilots attributed death to blunt impact injuries. Toxicology tests on the Cessna pilot detected ethanol in muscle at 0.01 mg%; it could not be determined if from ingestion or other sources. No drugs were detected.
Additional Information
The source document referenced right-of-way rules, vigilant lookout guidance, and limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, but no causal link to the accident was stated.