code

WA

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX in Snohomish: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 2022 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2069B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Renton - Renton
MSN:
208B-5657
YOM:
2021
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Renton Airport with four people on board, apparently on a pre-delivery check flight. In unknown circumstances, it went out of control and crashed in a prairie located near Snohomish, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed. It is believed that the airplane suffered a wing failure in flight.

Crash of a Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 in Pasco

Date & Time: Sep 20, 2022 at 0709 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N528DV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chehalis - Pasco
MSN:
525B-0329
YOM:
2009
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach, the crew apparently encountered technical problems with the landing gear that could not be lowered. The airplane landed on its belly on runway 03L and slid for few hundred metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3T Otter into the Mutiny Bay: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 2022 at 1511 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N725TH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Friday Harbor – Renton
MSN:
466
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Friday Harbor on a taxi flight to Renton, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. Half way, the airplane climbed from 600 to 1,000 feet when the speed dropped. The float plane crashed into the Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island. A dead body was quickly found but during the night of September 6, US Coast Guard suspended the search for nine people who are missing. Searches by the USCG and local agencies spanned about 2,100 nautical miles without success.

Crash of a De Havilland Dash-8-400 on Ketron Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 2018 at 2043 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N449QX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4410
YOM:
2012
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On August 10, 2018, about 2043 Pacific daylight time, a De Havilland DHC-8-402, N449QX, was destroyed when it impacted trees on Ketron Island, near Steilacoom, WA. The noncertificated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Horizon Air Industries, Inc,. and was being operated by the noncertificated pilot as an unauthorized flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the event, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington, about 1932. Horizon Air personnel reported that the noncertificated pilot was employed as a ground service agent and had access to the airplanes on the ramp. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The NTSB provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and any material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI. The NTSB does not plan to issue an investigative report or open a public docket.
Probable cause:
The NTSB did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue an investigative report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Socata TBM-700A in Bellingham

Date & Time: Feb 27, 2017 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GWVS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bellingham – Pierce County
MSN:
210
YOM:
2002
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1703
Captain / Total hours on type:
381.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1962
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, during the preflight, it was snowing, and he wiped the snow that had accumulated on the wings off "as best as [he] could." He added that, while taxiing to the runway, "snow was falling heavily," and he observed "light accumulation of wet snow" on the wings. During the takeoff roll, he observed the snow "sloughing off" the wings as the airspeed increased. Subsequently, during the climb to about 150 ft above the ground, the airplane yawed to the left, and he attempted to recover using right aileron. He reported that he "could see a stall forming," so he lowered the nose and reduced power to idle. The airplane impacted the general aviation ramp in a left-wing-down attitude and slid 500 to 600 ft. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report 6120.1 form that the airplane stalled, and he recommended "better deicing" before takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 27 minutes before the accident, the wind was 010° at 8 knots, 1/2-mile visibility, moderate snow, freezing fog, and sky condition broken at 500 ft above ground level (agl) and overcast at 1,500 ft agl. The airplane departed from runway 16. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Information Manual stated, in part: "The presence of aircraft airframe icing during takeoff, typically caused by improper or no deicing of the aircraft being accomplished prior to flight has contributed to many recent accidents in turbine aircraft." The manual further stated, "Ensure that your aircraft's lift-generating surfaces are COMPLETELY free of contamination before flight through a tactile (hands on) check of the critical surfaces when feasible. Even when otherwise permitted, operators should avoid smooth or polished frost on lift-generating surfaces as an acceptable preflight condition." FAA Advisory Circular, AC 135-17, stated in part: "Test data indicate that ice, snow, or frost formations having thickness and surface roughness similar to medium or course sandpaper on the leading edge and upper surfaces of a wing can reduce wing lift by as much as 30 percent and increase drag by 40 percent." Included in the public docket for this report is a copy of a service bulletin from the airplane manufacturer, which describes deicing and anti-icing ground procedures. It stated, in part: During conditions conducive to aeroplane icing during ground operations, take-off shall not be attempted when ice, snow, slush or frost is present or adhering to the wings, propellers, control surfaces, engine inlets or other critical surfaces. This is known as the "Clean Aircraft Concept". Any deposit of ice, snow or frost on the external surfaces may drastically affect its performance due to reduced aerodynamic lift and increased drag resulting from the disturbed airflow.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to properly deice the airplane before takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver I off Lopez Island

Date & Time: Sep 30, 2016 at 0837 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6781L
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kenmore – Roche Harbor
MSN:
788
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1630.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7395
Circumstances:
While maneuvering at low altitude for a water landing, the commercial pilot of the float equipped airplane encountered low visibility due to ground fog. The pilot initiated a go-around, but the airplane impacted the water, bounced, and impacted the water a second time before coming to rest upright. The airplane subsequently sank, and all four occupants were later rescued. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The operator further reported that other company pilots who were flying on the day of the accident stated that the low visibility conditions were easily avoided by a slight course deviation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's decision to land in an area of low visibility and ground fog, which resulted in collision with water.
Final Report: