Narrative:
The two pilots and the three passengers were enroute to a business meeting in the amphibious airplane when they encountered clouds and turbulence. The pilot, copilot, and passengers described that the pilot descended to a lower altitude and flew along a riverbed, at times at an altitude that was below the surrounding trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he next planned on doing a touch-and-go landing on the river to entertain the passengers. One of the passengers said that while flying along the river, the pilots were concerned about hitting powerlines and had to maneuver to prevent hitting them and a bridge. Shortly after, as the pilots were following a sharp bend in the river while looking for a place to conduct a touch-and-go landing, the airplane's right wing stuck a power line. The airplane's right wing and aileron were substantially damaged, though the damage did not prohibit the airplane from being able to fly, and the pilot characterized that the airplane felt out of trim and 'a little heavier on one side.' The flight continued towards their destination and a subsequent conversation ensued between the pilot and the passengers, asking if the meeting could be missed, and if they should return to their departure airport, about 45 minutes away. The decision was made to return to the departure airport where the airplane landed without further incident. The pilot elected not to perform a precautionary landing at a nearby airport nor declare an emergency because the airplane appeared to be performing well. The operator stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that contributed to the accident. Further, the operator did not have any guidance or policies relating to low-altitude maneuvering with passengers onboard.
Probable Cause: The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low altitude flight and his failure to see and avoid powerlines. Contributing was the operator's lack of safety guidance or a safety policy for low-altitude operations.
accident date: 26-04-2021
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
registration: N143CA
accident date: 26-04-2021
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
registration: N143CA
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 26 April 2021 |
| Time: | 08:45 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX |
| Operator: | Haugland Group Aviation LLC |
| Registration: | N143CA |
| MSN: | 208B5516 |
| First flight: | 2019 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 222 |
| Engines: | 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Laceyville, PA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Perkasie-Pennridge Airport, PA (KCKZ), United States of America |
| Islip-Long Island MacArthur Airport, NY (ISP/KISP), United States of America |
The two pilots and the three passengers were enroute to a business meeting in the amphibious airplane when they encountered clouds and turbulence. The pilot, copilot, and passengers described that the pilot descended to a lower altitude and flew along a riverbed, at times at an altitude that was below the surrounding trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he next planned on doing a touch-and-go landing on the river to entertain the passengers. One of the passengers said that while flying along the river, the pilots were concerned about hitting powerlines and had to maneuver to prevent hitting them and a bridge. Shortly after, as the pilots were following a sharp bend in the river while looking for a place to conduct a touch-and-go landing, the airplane's right wing stuck a power line. The airplane's right wing and aileron were substantially damaged, though the damage did not prohibit the airplane from being able to fly, and the pilot characterized that the airplane felt out of trim and 'a little heavier on one side.' The flight continued towards their destination and a subsequent conversation ensued between the pilot and the passengers, asking if the meeting could be missed, and if they should return to their departure airport, about 45 minutes away. The decision was made to return to the departure airport where the airplane landed without further incident. The pilot elected not to perform a precautionary landing at a nearby airport nor declare an emergency because the airplane appeared to be performing well. The operator stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that contributed to the accident. Further, the operator did not have any guidance or policies relating to low-altitude maneuvering with passengers onboard.
Probable Cause:
Probable Cause: The pilot's improper decision to conduct a low altitude flight and his failure to see and avoid powerlines. Contributing was the operator's lack of safety guidance or a safety policy for low-altitude operations.
Accident investigation:
|
Photos
accident date: 26-04-2021
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
registration: N143CA
accident date: 26-04-2021
type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
registration: N143CA
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Perkasie-Pennridge Airport, PA to Islip-Long Island MacArthur Airport, NY as the crow flies is 189 km (118 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Perkasie-Pennridge Airport, PA to Islip-Long Island MacArthur Airport, NY as the crow flies is 189 km (118 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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