Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Weather conditions on the day of the accident were reported to be extremely variable. Initially, when the pilot obtained a weather briefing, VFR flight was not recommended. Later, the weather improved and the pilot elected to proceed on the flight. While en route, he encountered snow showers and descended to 500 feet agl to insure best visibility. The pilot stated that without warning, he encountered a snow squall and whiteout conditions while he was flying over a ridge immediately west of the Kustatan River. He attempted a 180 turn, but the aircraft crashed on snow covered terrain. One occupant, an infant, died from impact injuries. The survivors were located about 21 hours after the accident. The ELT switch was found in the 'off' position; no ELT signal was heard by other pilots. Another pilot who encountered weather at about the same time and place diverted to another airport.

Although low altitude flight within the gorge was not in accordance with the mission profile the pilot entered the canyon and proceeded upslope towards rising terrain. 87% of the pilot's extensive flight experience was in helicopter aircraft and he had acquired an estimated total of only 13 hours in make/model at the time of the accident. The aircraft was slightly over its gross weight at the time of the accident and high density altitude conditions existed. During the pilot's attempt to reverse direction at the end of the gorge the aircraft stalled and a loss of control followed. A stall/spin maneuver resulted placing the aircraft in an uncontrolled descent into the terrain. All six occupants were killed.

The pilot stalled the airplane while making a steep turn to avoid high voltage power lines. The airplane caught fire on impact and the air taxi pilot subsequently died of extensive thermal injuries. The pilot was flying in formation with another aircraft at low altitude. When the power lines were sighted the other aircraft successfully pulled up and avoided the wires. The accident pilot turned steeply and lost control of the aircraft before crashing.

The aircraft departed during a break in the weather after having waited for a special VFR departure. His departure radio call was the last communication from the flight. The weather remained marginal with icing in the clouds and freezing drizzle. The aircraft was on a flight to transport a dentist and a technical assistant to area villages for US Health Dpt clinical work. There was no pressing or urgent need to adhere to a schedule if the weather dictated a postponement. Aircraft wreckage was located on the side of a mountain at 650 feet above msl. It had collided with an upgrade while in a descending turn. The aircraft broke apart and left wreckage for a distance of 493 feet before coming to rest. The pilot and one passenger remained in the wreckage. The right front passenger was ejected and located near the wreckage. Witnesses at the crash site noted ice 1/8 to 3/4 inches thick on the broken wings and airframe parts during the recovery.

The pilot departed Garoua Airport on a positioning flight to Yaoundé after 6pm which is prohibited for such type of aircraft. En route, he encountered fuel/engine problems and elected to divert to the Foumban Airport which is located about 20 km northeast of Foumbot. By night, the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed. It is believed that fuel leaked from the tank after a fuel cap has been damaged during a previous stop at Tamanrasset Airport. Also, the pilot was not experienced in flight operations in Africa.

After takeoff from Picton-Koromiko Airport, while climbing, the engine lost power. The pilot elected to return and initiated a downwind circuit when the engine failed completely. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed.

Crashed in poor weather conditions. Occupant fate unknown.

Shortly after takeoff, on the last leg on it's flight, the engine of the air cargo aircraft started to sputter. The pilot turned the fuel selector handler from the left tank to another position and turned on the boost pump. The engine stopped running and the pilot elected to land in a public park. The left wing was torn off the aircraft during the emergency landing. Investigation revealed that the fuel selector had been turned to the 'off' position, a check of the fuel quantity in each tank showed less than five gallons in the left tank and about twelve gallons in the right tank. Sole on board, the pilot was slightly injured.

According to the pilot-in-command, he was attempting to fly through a mountain saddle. As he turned towards the mountain and began his climb the weather deteriorated rapidly with ceilings zero, visibility zero and severe turbulence. The airplane struck the side of a 1,707 foot high mountain at the 1,590 foot level on a magnetic heading of 015°. The pilot-in-command stated that just prior to impact he could not see anything. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured.

The pilot was attempting a 180° turn to reverse direction away from lowering clouds and snow showers when the right wing dug into the snow covered terrain. The pilot stated a virtual 'white out' condition existed at the time. The pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.