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NTSB Report

September 2, 1986 · Cessna P206-B · N4782F

Wht Sulphur Spr, WV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wht Sulphur Spr, WV
Aircraft
Cessna P206-B
Tail Number
N4782F
Operator
Greenbrier Airlines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA239

AFTER COMPLETING THE REVENUE PRODUCING PORTION OF THIS TRIP THE COMPANY PRESIDENT CALLED HIS COMPANY OPERATIONS AND TOLD HIS SECRETARY TO SEND EVERYONE HOME SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY. HE WAS GOING TO RETURN THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE HIMSELF. THE PLT DEPARTED VFR, AIR FILED AND FLEW AN IFR FLT PLAN TO THE FINAL APCH FIX TO THE CLOSEST ARPT WITH AN INSTRUMENT APCH, CANCELLED THE IFR FLT PLAN AND HEADED TOWARD THE HOME ARPT VFR. FOG AND LOW CEILINGS WERE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE ARPT WAS EQUIPPED WITH RWY LIGHTS BUT DID NOT HAVE STROBES ON EITHER END, IT WAS LOCATED IN A VALLEY. AN ACFT WAS OBSERVED EAST OF THE APT LATER IN THE NIGHT. IT HAD ALREADY PASSED THE ARPT AND WAS IN A TURN WHEN LAST OBSERVED. AN ALNOT WAS ISSUED DURING THE NIGHT FOR THE MISSING ACFT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT DAY ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE WEST AND NORTH OF THE ARPT, ON THE SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.

Full Narrative

AFTER COMPLETING THE REVENUE PRODUCING PORTION OF THIS TRIP THE COMPANY PRESIDENT CALLED HIS COMPANY OPERATIONS AND TOLD HIS SECRETARY TO SEND EVERYONE HOME SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY. HE WAS GOING TO RETURN THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE HIMSELF. THE PLT DEPARTED VFR, AIR FILED AND FLEW AN IFR FLT PLAN TO THE FINAL APCH FIX TO THE CLOSEST ARPT WITH AN INSTRUMENT APCH, CANCELLED THE IFR FLT PLAN AND HEADED TOWARD THE HOME ARPT VFR. FOG AND LOW CEILINGS WERE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE ARPT WAS EQUIPPED WITH RWY LIGHTS BUT DID NOT HAVE STROBES ON EITHER END, IT WAS LOCATED IN A VALLEY. AN ACFT WAS OBSERVED EAST OF THE APT LATER IN THE NIGHT. IT HAD ALREADY PASSED THE ARPT AND WAS IN A TURN WHEN LAST OBSERVED. AN ALNOT WAS ISSUED DURING THE NIGHT FOR THE MISSING ACFT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE NEXT DAY ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE WEST AND NORTH OF THE ARPT, ON THE SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWhite Sulphur Springs (5nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P206-B
Tail NumberN4782F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGreenbrier Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-KCA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data