Cessna U206G N756MP
30 July 2011 · Talkeetna, Alaska, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 30 July 2011 at about 22:15 local time, a Cessna U206G registered N756MP, operated by Earp Kevin W, was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Talkeetna, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 62.1817, -150.5067
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206G
- Registration
- N756MP
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Earp Kevin W
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Talkeetna → Talkeetna
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC11FA071
People
4 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
The inadequate visual lookout and failure to see and avoid by the pilots of both airplanes while maneuvering to land, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the lack of standardized, unequivocal procedures concerning common traffic advisory frequencies used in the area.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Two float-equipped, high-wing airplanes, a Cessna 206 and a Cessna 180, collided in midair in day visual meteorological conditions near a remote lake, which was the destination for both airplanes. The Cessna 206 pilot stated that he was maneuvering for landing after completing a right 270-degree turn, which positioned the airplane for a left downwind approach for landing to the northeast. The Cessna 180 was flying northbound and presumably also on a left downwind approach for landing to the northeast. The airplanes were about 900 feet above ground level when the collision occurred. The pilot of the Cessna 206 said he saw the Cessna 180 approaching from the right, and he made an immediate climbing left turn just before the collision. The Cessna 180 descended vertically to the ground. The Cessna 206 continued to fly and landed safely with the outboard portion of the Cessna 180’s left wing entangled in its floats. Neither pilot was in communication with any air traffic control facility. The airplanes were operating in uncontrolled airspace. The Cessna 206 pilot reported that he was monitoring 122.8 MHz, the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for the area. A pilot-rated relative of the Cessna 180 pilot said the pilot monitored 122.9 MHz on previous flights, which was the MULTICOM frequency used for off-airport operations. A review of FAA-approved CTAF radio frequencies used in the area revealed equivocal language regarding which CTAF radio frequency should be used. Additionally, due to a high concentration of aerodromes in the area, many of the frequency boundaries overlap. Given the reports of the radio frequencies that were monitored by both pilots, it is likely that, had both pilots been announcing their intentions on the same frequency, both pilots would have had increased awareness of the presence of the other airplane.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna U206G | N756MP | Earp Kevin W | Minor |
| Cessna 180B | N5214E | Carlson Corey B | Destroyed |
Other Cessna U206G accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 2011 | Cessna U206G | Matinicus Island, Maine, United States | Penobscot Island Air | Serious injuries | - |
| 24 Apr 2011 | Cessna U206G | Stow, Massachusetts, United States | Associated Pilots Inc | No injuries | - |
| 15 Dec 2011 | Cessna U206G | Nanwalek, Alaska, United States | Smokey Bay Air Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 Sep 2011 | Cessna U206G | Beluga, Alaska, United States | Alaska Skyways Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 2010 | Cessna U206G | Nanwalek, Alaska, United States | Smokey Bay Air Inc | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 2012 | Cessna U206G | Homer, Alaska, United States | Smokey Bay Air Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Aug 2011 | De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) | Northway, Alaska, United States | Copper Valley Air Service LLC | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 2011 | Piper PA-18-180 | Valdez, Alaska, United States | Erik F. Hursh | No injuries | - |
| 18 Aug 2011 | Piper PA-20 | Tyonek, Alaska, United States | Randy F. Stahl | No injuries | - |
| 29 Nov 2011 | Cessna 207 | Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States | Inland Aviation | Fatal | 1 |
| 23 Nov 2011 | Cessna A185F | Talkeetna, Alaska, United States | Sheldon Air Service | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 2011 | Cessna 180H | Skwentna, Alaska, United States | Russey Reagan | No injuries | - |