# NTSB SEA02LA029: Pilatus PC-12, N852AL, Sunriver, OR, December 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 29, 2001, 01:55 local (09:55 UTC) - Place: Sunriver, OR - Coordinates: 43.87611, -121.453056 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8761&lon=-121.4531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54027/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. An icy runway and a snow bank were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he missed the first approach into the airstrip, however, he landed on the second attempt. After touchdown, the aircraft veered left despite the pilot's corrective control inputs, and collided with a snow bank 1/3 of the way down the runway. The pilot reported that the wind remained calm at the time of the accident. The runway surface was reported to be icy, and some runway lights were obscured by snow. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time. ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2001, at 0155 Pacific standard time, a Pilatus PC-12, N852AL, registered to St. Charles Medical Center, and operated by Air Methods as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, ran off the side of the runway during landing at Sunriver, Oregon, and collided with a snow bank. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident time. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed and then cancelled before landing. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Portland, Oregon, at an unknown time. The pilot reported in a written statement that he missed the first approach into Sunriver, however, during the second attempt, the aircraft landed. The pilot stated, "Upon touchdown the aircraft veered left without control input and I tried to counter right with rudder, aileron and brake but they were ineffective". The aircraft then collided with a snow bank about 1/3 of the way down the runway. The pilot further stated that the winds remained calm throughout the accident sequence. A representative at the airport reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon Flight Standards District Office that the runway surface was icy, and some of the runway lights were obscured by snow. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The aircraft was moved to a maintenance facility in Boise, Idaho, for repairs. On January 16, 2002, maintenance personnel completed the assessment of damage to the aircraft and reported to the NTSB that the aircraft was structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N852AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N852AL), registered now, S/N 213, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pilatus PC-12 - Registry model: [Pilatus PC-12/45](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-45) (registry code 7090551) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 213 - Airframe hours: 1068.3 - Engines: P&W PT6-67B 1200 lbs thrust turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Air Methods - Registered owner: St. Charles Medical Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, December 25, 2001, 4.5 hours before - Departed: PDX, Portland, OR - Destination: S21, Sunriver - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: S21, Sunriver, runway 18, 5,455 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,936 total, 4,771 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: RDM, 26 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20011229035689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011229035689A), Dec 29, 2001: Pilats PC12, Bend, OR, No damage. (.19) On December 29, 2001, at 0155 pacific standard time, a Pilatus PC-12, N852AL, registered to st. charles medical center, and operated by air methods as a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.