Ferry Service Provider: American King Air
NTSB Identification: ERA10LA105
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, January 04, 2010 in Greenbush, ME
Aircraft: CESSNA 172S, registration: N5118J
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On January 4, 2010, at 1153 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N5118J, owned and operated by American King Air Services Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted the Penobscot River, near Greenbush, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was killed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Goose Bay Airport (CYYR), Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. The flight originated from Bangor International Airport (KGBR), Bangor, Maine, about 1130. The ferry flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the operator intended to ultimately deliver the airplane to a customer in Russia. Additional fuel tanks were installed at KBGR for a flight across the Atlantic Ocean. About 25 miles north of KBGR, while in cruise flight at 5,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot requested a higher altitude due to turbulence. Air traffic control (ATC) cleared the flight to 6,000 feet; however, the airplane began to descend. ATC then instructed the pilot to maintain at least 3,000 feet. The pilot replied that he was trying, and ATC subsequently provided the pilot with a vector to divert to Dewitt Field (KOLD), Old Town, Maine. No further transmissions were received from the accident airplane.
Radar data depicted the accident airplane reverse course toward the direction of KOLD and descend. Additionally, a witness reported that the airplane flew overhead about 100 to 200 feet above ground level (agl), with continuous engine noise, until the sound of impact.
The airplane impacted the Penobscot River near Olamon Island, and was subsequently recovered for further examination by an FAA inspector and a representative from the airplane manufacturer.
The reported weather at KBGR, at 1153, was: wind from 330 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 20 knots; visibility 2 miles in light snow; ceiling 1,500 feet broken; ceiling 2,500 feet overcast; temperature 2 degrees Celsius; dew point –1 degree Celsius; altimeter 29.36 inches of mercury.
Airmen’s meteorological information (AIRMET) Zulu was in effect for the time of the accident. The AIRMET advised of moderate ice below 13,000 feet with the freezing level ranging between the surface and 2,500 feet.
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