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N103AF accident description

Alaska map... Alaska list
Crash location 55.091666°N, 131.601667°W
Nearest city Metlakatla, AK
55.129167°N, 131.572222°W
2.8 miles away
Tail number N103AF
Accident date 03 Mar 2017
Aircraft type Beech G18S
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On March 3, 2017, about 0815 Alaska standard time, a twin-engine Beechcraft G18S airplane, N103AF, is presumed to have sustained substantial damage during impact with ocean waters about two miles southwest of Metlakatla, Alaska following a total loss of engine power in the right engine. The airline transport pilot and airline transport pilot certificated passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Point to Point Air, LLC and operated by the pilot as an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for the route of flight. An instrument flight plan was filed and activated. The flight departed the Klawock Airport (PAKW), Alaska, at 0734, destined for Ketchikan International Airport (PAKT), Ketchikan, Alaska.

According to a written statement provided by the pilot, the airplane was loaded with just under 1000 pounds of geoduck clams destined for Ketchikan. During an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to PAKT runway 11, the pilot performed the missed approach procedure at decision height due to no visual contact with the runway environment. The pilot stated that the right engine seized during the climb out about 2,000 feet MSL. The pilot directed the passenger in the right front seat, to help navigate to Annette Island Airport and perform radio communications. The pilot stated that he attempted to feather the right engine by pulling the propeller control to the feather position, however the propeller would not feather. He stated that he was not able to maintain altitude, even at the designated single engine rate of climb airspeed of 120 knots and maximum power setting of 36.5 inHg manifold pressure and 2300 RPM on the left engine. The passenger declared an emergency with Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and requested radar vectors for terrain clearance. According to a written statement provided by the passenger, Anchorage ARTCC stated that they did not have radar coverage at the altitude at which the aircraft was operating. The airplane descended through the clouds on the west side of Annette Island about five miles north of Annette Island Airport. The pilot stated that the airplane exited the clouds at an altitude of between 100 and 200 feet with about 1 mile of inflight visibility. When the airplane descended through 50 feet, the pilot initiated a forced water landing in Smuggler's Cove near the coastline. The passenger transmitted the ditching intentions on the ARTCC frequency. According to the pilot, the right wing contacted the water first and the airplane yawed right. When the nose section contacted the water, it immediately separated from the airplane. Both occupants egressed through the left crew door and swam about 200 yards to shore. The pilot reported seeing fire on the surface of the water. The airplane then sank in about 14 fathoms (about 84ft) of water.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an ALNOT (alert notice) at 0826. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau directed a response vessel from Coast Guard station Ketchikan and an MH-60 helicopter from Air Station Sitka. The Metlakatla fire department launched a rescue boat and were first to arrive on scene about 30 minutes after the accident. The two survivors were transported to Metlakatla medical clinic and treated for minor injuries. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the waves were 6 feet high at Smuggler's Cove when they arrived.

The closest weather reporting facility is Annette Island Airport (PANT), about three miles south of the accident site. At 0815, an aviation special weather report (SPECI) from PANT was reporting in part: wind 150 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 23 knots; sky condition, broken 600 feet, overcast 1,100 feet; visibility, 2 statute miles in light snow; temperature 2 degrees C; dewpoint -1 degrees C; altimeter, 29.46 inHg.

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