NTSB Identification: SEA04FA031
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, January 01, 2004 in Cave Junction, OR
Aircraft: Piper PA-44-180, registration: N53505
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 3 Serious.
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 1, 2004, approximately 1835 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N53505, registered to a limited liability corporation, being operated by Auburn Flight Service, Inc., and being flown by two commercial pilots, accompanied by an airline transport rated passenger and a non-rated passenger, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees/terrain while making an emergency landing at the Illinois Valley airport, Cave Junction, Oregon (3S4). The pilot-in-command and both passengers suffered serious injuries and the copilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the accident site and an IFR flight plan had been filed and activated. The aircraft departed Oakland International airport, Oakland, California, at 1612 on the afternoon of the accident and was destined for North Bend, Oregon. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91.
Survivors reported that the aircraft encountered induction icing conditions and Seattle Air Route Traffic Control received a request for a diversion into 3S4. Power was lost and the pilots conducted an emergency descent visually acquiring the 5,200-foot long north-south asphalt runway. The airport caretaker reported hearing radio transmissions from the aircraft as well as the engine(s) cutting in and out, and stepped outside visually observing the aircraft over fly the airport.
The aircraft struck a tree and came to rest inverted on a berm alongside the west edge of Highway 199 and partially within Rough and Ready Creek which was under a flood warning at the time of the accident. The accident site was approximately 1,000 feet southwest of the threshold of runway 36. On site law enforcement personnel reported a strong odor of aviation fuel at the site and heavy snowfall immediately following the accident. There was no post crash fire
I guess it does happen...