ANGOON, AK, USA
N756DA
CESSNA 206
ACCORDING TO THE COAST GUARD HELICOPTER PILOT THAT RESCUED THE PILOT, AND OTHER PILOTS OPERATING IN THE AREA, THERE WERE NUMEROUS HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AREA. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THE TREE LINE AFTER STRIKING THE BEACH. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON A MAGNETIC PATH OF 250 DEGREES, ALMOST PARALLEL TO THE SHORELINE. ONE PILOT OPERATING IN THE AREA STATED HE HAD TO LAND ON THE WATER THREE TIMES TO WAIT OUT THE SNOW SQUALLS.
On December 5, 1994, at 1300 Alaska standard time, a float equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N756DA, registered to Robert Reid of Juneau, Alaska, and leased and operated by Loken Aviation, of Juneau, Alaska, crashed into trees during a flight from False Island to Angoon, Alaska. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was on a visual flight rules flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, which was located at the head of Florence Bay. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to other pilots operating in the area, there were numerous heavy snow showers moving through the area. One pilot stated he had to land on the water three times to wait out the snow squalls. The accident airplane crashed on a magnetic bearing of 250 degrees, almost parallel to the beach, but angling toward the beach. The airplane struck the beach and then crashed into the tree line on the edge of the beach. According to Lt. Kotson, Juneau Coast Guard, "as they approached the mishap site, an area of very, very heavy, dense snow showers accompanied by fog forced them to an altitude of about 50 feet and a speed of about 30 knots." He stated that visibility was reduced to just feet. The Pilot does not remember any information about the accident. There are no weather reporting facilities in the vicinity of the accident site.
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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