EGEGIK RIVER, AK, USA
N8193G
CESSNA 206
THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT WITH 4 PASSENGERS TO A DIRT/GRAVEL STRIP NEAR THE EGEGIK RIVER & BECHAROF LAKE, APRX 45 MI SOUTH OF KING SALMON, AK. THE PLT WAS AWARE THAT THE OPERATOR (FT RICHARDSON FLYING CLUB) PROHIBIED THE OPERATION OF ITS ACFT INTO UNAPPROVED ARPTS/STRIPS. WHILE HUNTING NEAR THE STRIP, 2 MEMBERS OF THE PARTY DID NOT RETURN BEFORE NIGHT FALL. THE PLT BECAME WORRIED & DECIDED TO USE THE ACFT TO HELD THEM FIND THEIR WAY BACK. AT 1ST, HE STARTED THE ACFT ENG & TAXIED TO THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE STRIP WITH ALL LIGHTS ON. HE SET A DEADLINE OF 2200 HRS FOR THE HUNTERS' RETURN. WHEN THEY DID NOT ARRIVE, THE PLT TOOK OFF IN POOR WX CONDITIONS & CIRCLED THE AREA OF THE STRIP. HE THEN FLEW AN EXTENDED PATTERN AS IF TO LAND. AT THE POSITION WHERE HE WAS EXPECTED TO TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL, THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN ABRUPTLY, ENTERED AN APPARENT SPIN & CRASHED IN THE RIVER. WITNESS ESTIMATED WX AS 300-400 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1-2 MI, WIND 30 KTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS. PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.045%.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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