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https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/N...n-Metlatkatla-Cascade-Bay-510681871.htmlPreliminary report reveal details about pilot's experience, landing conditions in two deadly crashes
The NTSB is releasing preliminary reports detailing the crashes in Cascade Bay (left) and Metlakatla (right)
By Hank Davis | Posted: Fri 2:40 PM, May 31, 2019
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - On Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary information regarding two incidents from the recent string of plane crashes in Alaska.
The first report details the May 20 crash in Metlakatla that claimed two lives:
The pilot, flying for Taquan Air, was a new seasonal pilot hired for this season.
When he began with the company on April 22, he had just five hours' flying time in float planes, and 1,606 flight hours total. Though as part of his orientation he was completed federal requirements on float planes earlier in May.
According to the NTSB findings, three witnesses observed the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver airplane making a normal approach to the water near Metlakatla Harbor. The witness statements describe the moment the plane touched down on the surface of the water. Witnesses at the scene described the water as "less than choppy."
"The wings rocked to the left, and then to the right. One of the witnesses observed the right wing strike the surface of the water, and the airplane nosed over rapidly. After the airplane nosed over, the cockpit and cabin partially sank," the report said.
Two boats in the area immediately responded to the crash, followed by a Metlakatla Police vessel staffed with volunteer emergency medical technicians.
A fishing vessel hoisted the airplane out of the water slightly, and Good Samaritans and emergency responders removed the seats, mail, packages and cargo netting. After the plane's passengers were removed from the cockpit, they were taken to the Annette Island Health Center where they were declared deceased.
The second report pertains to the Cascade Bay incident that killed one and injured two more.
The crash involved a float-equipped Cessna A185F during a personal flight. No flight plans had been filed beforehand.
According to the report, the pilot said he planned to fly with the two passengers for a sightseeing trip in the Prince William Sound area, before landing on the water in Cascade Bay.
Photographs taken a few hours after the accident revealed that the airplane had come to rest, inverted with a submerged fuselage. The four wheels of the landing gear appeared to be in the extended, runway landing position.
In the report, the pilot told investigators he performed his before-landing checks. One of those tasks is to confirm the landing gear position. While the pilot could recall performing the check, he did not have a specific recollection of the landing gear status. It was also noted that the water was rough, so he planned to land the airplane slightly faster than normal.
During the landing, the pilot experienced a jolt before the plane nosed over, filling with water and submerging. He was able to pull the passenger in the rear seat free, but the passenger in the front right seat already appeared to be unconscious.
The NTSB has provided no further timeline on additional information to be released to the public.
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