The changing winds and a tree strike were two of the causes of the crash of a small plane near Shaktoolik in the month of March that killed the remains of an Alaska aviation legend as well as an Idaho hunter According the federal investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report Tuesday, focusing on the June 16 crash. Jim Tweto, 68, from Unalakleet as well as Shane Reynolds, 45, from Orofino, Idaho, died in the crash.
Tweto the pilot, who had been flying in the remote areas of Alaska for many years, was famous due to his appearances in Discovery TV program “Flying In Wild Alaska” which followed the operation of a family airlines Era Alaska.
Clint Johnson, the NTSB’s Alaska chief, told reporters on Tuesday that investigators have reached the scene of the accident, which is about 35 miles to the northeast of Shaktoolik just within a couple of days after the crash took place.
“What they discovered was that the plane appears to have hit the snag in a huge amount – an old tree dead tree when it took off,” Johnson said. “And the plane went down shortly after.”
As per the reports, Tweto had been flying out of the 750-foot long remote mountain airstrip close to Shaktoolik the day before the crash. He was flying in the Cessna 180H operated by Golden Eagle Outfitters. The airstrip was located near the camp of hunters. Tweto had already taken two hunters from bears to Unalakleet on the airstrip on that day. The NTSB report stated that the airstrip was located along an inclined ridgeline. Tweto flew uphill and then took off downhill.
“During the previous departures, following takeoff, the aircraft would drop beneath the airstrip from the departure point, then disappear out of view, then return to view before fading out of the valley” NTSB investigator Millicent Hill said in the report.
Tweto was planning to fly two trips during the day, from the airstrip, each with a hunting guide as well as some equipment. Reynolds is the guide who was first who was flown out, followed by the second one – who informed the NTSB that he’d witnessed Tweto fly out of the strip several times – waiting for the second flight.
“(The Second guide) observed the first part of the downhill takeoff roll and nothing seemed unusual, so he walked away and didn’t watch the rest part of takeoff” was the conclusion of an NTSB report. “When the pilot did not hear the engine roar during takeoff or observe the plane ascending upwards, he rushed towards the ridgeline’s edge, and observed that the aircraft had struck the tundra about 300 (feet) beneath the runway.”
The second guide utilized the GPS tracker to send out an emergency signal. He then went to the plane to search for survivors.
The pilot of the helicopter who arrived approximately 45 minutes later, stated that the winds in the region were “unusual” on the day. fluctuating between 10- to 12-knot gusts from north, calm periods, and 5 knot gusts coming from the south.
On the site of the crash Investigators located a small collection of trees. One tree that was 12-foot tall and 4-inch thick was broken just 4 feet higher than its base, which was located on the left-hand side of runway. The tree’s broken trunk “displayed pieces of red paint that were matched to the color of the plane’s paint,” said the report.
Tree sap as well as “embedded fibres of trees” were found on Cessna’s thigh, inside the vertical stabilizer to the left.
NTSB meteorologists are gathering data on the weather conditions in the region during the time of the accident, Johnson said. Other aspects not included in the initial report – like the weight and the balance of gear on board the Cessna as well as any possible medical issues are being investigated as well.
The plane’s wreckage was removed from the wreckage According to Johnson and is currently in Nome and on the way to investigators.
“We’re anticipating that the wreckage will be arriving in town soon,” Johnson said. “What we’re going to do is to do a wreckage layout as is the our standard procedure. We’ll be looking carefully at the airframe and the power plant as well as which is the engine.”
Johnson stated that Tweto the person with whom he’d talked about Alaska NTSB cases featured on”Alaska Aircrash Investigations,” a Smithsonian Channel series “Alaska Aircrash Investigations”,” was one of “our prominent people” who were involved in aviation across the country.
“It is truly remarkable what the air community is coming together and helped this family” Johnson said. “It’s quite heartwarming, but I have to be sincere about it with you.”
Johnson claimed that the report’s preliminary release was delayed due to the shorter July 4’s work week in addition to NTSB policy that prohibits the publication of fatal crash reports prior to major holidays. A factual report with more details on the crash is anticipated by 2023. Then, there will be an official report expected in the coming 12 months.
