>>A different (lady) Fedex pilot, who is married to one of our pilots, had a brother whose aircraft collided at night with an "unknown" object not far north of Mobile Airport in Alabama not long ago. I don't remember if he was in a Caravan or solo in a recip plane, but the ATC radar tapes seem to have been confiscated after the tragedy, based on what I remember from $^#\/#'s remarks.<<
Would this the be the accident?
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NTSB Identification: ATL03FA008
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Wednesday, October 23, 2002 in Spanish Fort, AL
Aircraft: Cessna 208B, registration: N76U
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 October 23, 2002, at 1944, central daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N76U, operated by Mid Atlantic Freight, Inc. collided with water in the Big Bateau Bay in Spanish Fort, Alabama, shortly after takeoff from the Mobile Downtown Airport, in Mobile, Alabama. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135, and instrument flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to Air Traffic Controllers at the Mobile Regional Airport, the airplane had climbed to 3,000 feet and was given a traffic advisory. Shortly after that the airplane was lost on their radar, and all attempts to contact the pilot by radio were unsuccessful.
Examination of the wreckage on scene, found it scattered over an area of about 200 yards. Recovery of the airplane required the use of air boats and a barge. The recovered wreckage was transported to Griffin, Georgia for further examination.
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A local newspaper article is here:
http://www.atlantaairsalvage.com/Ces...t.%202002.html
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FedEx's tragic loss of crewmembers in Caravans is listed here along with the other mishaps:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/...datekey&page=1