Narrative:Wiggins Airways Flight WIG1090 diverted to Bangor Airport, Maine after encountering severe turbulence.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 99A, departed Manchester Municipal Airport, NH (MHT) at 07:29 hours, bound for Rockland Airport, Maine (RKD).
According to the pilot, she was in instrument conditions on descent for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Rockland and she was encountering continuous light to moderate turbulence. When the airplane was slightly below 2,000 feet mean sea level, the airspeed was 130 knots, she experienced severe turbulence. She executed a missed approach while still encountering moderate turbulence. She decided not to attempt another approach to RKD and diverted to Bangor International Airport (BGR), Maine. She stated that the airplane continued to experienced light to moderate turbulence enroute to BGR. The airplane landed at Bangor at 08:30.
Examination of the airplane revealed that both wings had skin deformation on top of the wings and the fuselage side skins were wrinkled. Additionally the right wing root between fuselage and nacelle just aft of main spar was damaged. The right wing root to fuselage fillet fairing was also damaged just aft of main spar. There were several other areas noted with wrinkled skin on the left and right wings.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The airplanes encounter with isolated severe turbulence, which resulted in substantial airframe damage."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 years | Accident number: | ERA16LA137 | Download report: | Final report
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Sources:
» FAA
» NTSB
METAR Weather report:
07:56 UTC / 11:56 local time:
METAR KRKD 021156Z AUTO 15024G32KT 7SM OVC007 07/06 A2949 RMK AO2 PK WND 14033/1131 RAE53 PRESFR SLP988 P0002 60033 70033 T00720061 10072 20011 58061Winds 150 degrees at 24 knots, gusting to 32 knots; visibility 7 miles; Overcast clouds at 700 feet; Temperature 7°C; Dew pount: 6°C;
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Manchester Municipal Airport, NH to Rockland-Knox County Regional Airport, ME as the crow flies is 225 km (140 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.