What happened
On September 2, 2011, at approximately 1335 Alaska daylight time, two aircraft collided in midair approximately 9 miles north of Nightmute, Alaska. The first aircraft, a Cessna 208B with registration N207DR, was being operated by Grant Aviation Inc. The second aircraft, a Cessna 207 with registration N73789, was operated by Ryan Air. Both flights were conducting charter operations under 14 CFR Part 135 in visual meteorological conditions and were returning to Bethel Airport.
The pilot of the Cessna 207 reported that after departing Tununak Airport, she communicated with the pilot of the N207DR via a private radio frequency, and the two agreed to rendezvous during the flight. While the Cessna 207 was cruising at 1,200 feet MSL, the Cessna 208B flew alongside her aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 207 observed the Cessna 208B perform an unexpected climb over her aircraft. Following a brief exchange regarding flight attitude, the Cessna 208B collided with the right wing of the Cessna 207.
Following the impact, the Cessna 208B entered a steep, vertical, nose-down descent, striking the tundra and catching fire. The single fatality occurred in the Cessna 208B. The pilot of the Cessna 207 was uninjured but was forced to perform an emergency landing on the tundra after sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The nosewheel of the Cessna 207 collapsed during the landing, which took place roughly 2 miles east of the primary crash site.
Findings
- The pilots of both aircraft had a close personal relationship.
- The collision occurred after the Cessna 208B performed an unannounced climb above the other aircraft while the pilots were communicating on a non-standard, private radio frequency.