N5222U

History of the Flight

On March 19, 1994, about 2145 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 206, N5222U, collided with terrain about 9 miles east of Show Low, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, owned by Action Medical Service, Winslow, Arizona, was destroyed by impact. The certificated airline transport pilot and a passenger received fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. A flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona.

The pilot contacted the Prescott Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) about 1833 hours and obtained a weather briefing for an intended route of flight from Chandler to Show Low. The flight service station specialist indicated that VFR flight was not recommended.

The time of departure from Chandler is not known; however, the pilot contacted Phoenix Terminal Radar Controllers (TRACON) about 2055 hours and reported that he had just departed Chandler. The pilot was provided with radar advisories until 2107:26 hours. At that time, the pilot was advised that flight following with the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) was available. No further communication was received from the pilot. A ground witness near the area of the accident reported overcast cloud conditions, and rain with thunder and lightning.

The operator reported that the pilot was authorized to utilize the aircraft for personal travel. The airplane was reported overdue when the pilot failed to report for work on March 21, 1994. Search personnel located the airplane visually about 1010 hours on March 23, 1994. No emergency locator transmitter signal was received from the airplane.

The accident occurred during the hours of darkness at latitude 34 minutes, 14.31 minutes north, and longitude 109 degrees, 48.71 minutes west.

Crew Information

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane multiengine land and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot also held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. In addition, the pilot was a certified flight instructor with airplane single-engine, multiengine, and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent first-class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on December 7, 1993, and contained no limitations.

No personal flight records were located for the pilot and the aeronautical experience listed on page 6 of this report was obtained as an estimate provided by the operator. The pilot's total aeronautical experience consisted of about 2,400 hours, of which about 100 hours were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model. In the preceding 30 days prior to the accident, the pilot accrued a total of 25 hours. The operator also indicated that the pilot was not current for flight in instrument conditions.

Aircraft Information

The recording hour meter in the tachometer gauge was destroyed. Examination of the maintenance records revealed that the last entry in the aircraft's logbook was February 6, 1994. As of that date, the airplane had accumulated a total time in service of 6,281 flight hours. The most recent annual inspection was accomplished on September 3, 1993, 161 flight hours before the accident. The operator reported that the aircraft was equipped for VFR flight only. The navigational equipment installed included two com/nav radios, a loran receiver, and an ADF receiver that was inoperative.

The engine had accrued a total time in service of 6,031 hours of operation. The maintenance records note that a major overhaul was accomplished on September 5, 1986, 1,115 hours of operation before the accident.

Meteorological Information

The closest official weather observation station is Show Low, Arizona, which is located 9 nautical miles west of the accident site. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the airport is normally attended until 1800 hours; however, a surface observation at 1845 hours indicated in part: Sky condition and ceiling, estimated 2,000 feet broken clouds, 6,000 feet overcast; visibility, 10 miles in light rain; temperature, 47 degrees F; dew point, 45 degrees F; wind, 180 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 22 knots; altimeter, 29.89 inHg; ceilings lower south through west, rain began at 1735 hours.

The Show Low airport manager reported that at 1920 hours, a Beech Baron reported heavy icing conditions at 10,000 feet. At 2125 hours, the manager indicated that the weather remained poor; visibility varied from 1 to 4 miles; ceilings varied from 500 to 1,500 feet with areas to the north better than the south.

Beginning at 1833:14 hours, the pilot requested and received a standard weather briefing from the Prescott AFSS. He indicated to the briefer that he was planning a VFR flight at 9,000 feet with a departure from Chandler in 1/2 hour to Show Low. The briefer advised that VFR flight was not recommended and included a synopsis of weather conditions that included: Occasional moderate turbulence below 18,000 feet, mountain obscuration along the route, and occasional moderate icing from 10,00 to 23,000 feet. The forecast included 8,000 to 9,000 feet scattered clouds, 12,000 feet broken, tops of the clouds to 23,000 feet and until 2100 hours, widely scattered light rain showers or thunderstorms.

The briefer provided information contained in notices to airmen (NOTAMs) that the Scottsdale nondirectional beacon (NDB) was out of service. There was no indication of local (Show Low) NOTAMs. At 1837:38 hours, the pilot indicated that..."Ok, I probably won't be going." The briefer reiterated that the flight was not recommended due to darkness, low clouds, and possible rain shower activity. A transcript of the weather briefing is included in this report.

A paramedic working at the Show Low airport reported low ceilings, rain, and windy conditions. Two aeromedical pilots operating flights between Phoenix, Arizona, and Show Low, reported thunderstorm activity and icing conditions between 9,000 to 13,000 feet.

Aids to Navigation

A low altitude airway (V 190) is located between the Phoenix VORTAC and the St. Johns VORTAC oriented on the Phoenix 054 degree radial. The St. Johns VORTAC is located about 44 nautical miles northeast of Show Low. The FAA reported that several aircraft reported the St. Johns VORTAC out of service on March 19, 1994. They noted that the Prescott AFSS published a NOTAM about the VORTAC at 1753 hours. One pilot operating into the Show Low airport reported that the St. Johns VORTAC azimuth indicating capability was inoperative.

Communications

Review of the air-ground radio communications tapes maintained by the FAA at the Phoenix TRACON facility revealed that the aircraft communicated with the positions of South and North Departure. No unusual communications were noted between the TRACON and the accident aircraft. At 2107:26 hours, radar contact with the aircraft was lost. The pilot was advised to squawk VFR (1200), a frequency change was approved, and that flight following advisories was available with Albuquerque ARTCC. The pilot acknowledged at 2107:33 hours. A transcript of communications is included in this report.

National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) radar data from the Albuquerque ARTCC was requested by National Transportation Safety Board investigators to determine the flight track of the accident airplane. The FAA provided a computer print of the NTAP data in the vicinity of the accident from 2115 to 2200 hours. The print contained no data.

The Arizona Wing of the Civil Air Patrol reported that during their search efforts for the aircraft, they were provided with NTAP data from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). The data reflected radar returns that originated near Chandler, Arizona, at 2057 hours and 3,700 feet, and continued northeast toward Show Low, Arizona. The NTAP data sheet identifies the radar track as the accident aircraft. The last radar return reflected on the data sheet ends at 2130 hours and 11,900 feet, about 27 miles southwest of the accident site.

Aerodrome and Ground Facilities

The destination airport, Show Low, Arizona, has a published elevation of 6,412 feet mean sea level. It is attended from 0700 hours to 1800 hours and is served by several commuter airlines. Aircraft traffic communications are conducted on a common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The airport manager at Show Low reported that no radio communications were received from the accident aircraft. There is one published nonprecision instrument approach for the airport utilizing an NDB.

Wreckage and Impact Information

Safety Board investigators examined the airplane wreckage at the accident site on March 24, 1994. Ground scars and the wreckage examination revealed that the airplane initially struck a tree about 21 feet above the ground on about a 028 degree heading (all heading/bearings noted in this report are oriented toward magnetic north).

All of the airplane's major components were found at the main wreckage area. After the initial contact, the airplane struck several additional trees. One tree, located about 80 feet from the first point of impact along the wreckage path, displayed extensive surface gouging and scaring about midheight. The main portion of the fuselage came to rest about 140 feet from the initial point of impact after striking numerous large rocks and about a 10-foot-high rock wall.

The first evidence of ground contact was about 110 feet from the initial point of tree contact into about 20-degree upsloping terrain. At that point, the propeller was found separated from the engine along with a portion of the nose wheel assembly.

From the initial point of tree contact to the propeller, the following portions of the aircra...