The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on a fatal plane crash in July that killed a pilot and a mechanic north of Kneeland Airport. The agency began investigating the incident just hours after the crash on July 23.
The plane crash killed the pilot, 49-year-old Gabriel Joshua Kulp of Grass Valley, and 60-year-old helicopter mechanic Thomias Edward Smith of Carmichael while trying to deliver spare parts to the airport, which is home to a Cal Fire Kneeland Helitack base.
Report details
The NTSB report, which contains only facts and does not state a suspected cause, describes in detail how the July crash occurred.
It states that after leaving McClellan Park at approximately 9:45 a.m., the aircraft made a left turn to enter the runway centerline approximately 0.4 nautical miles south of the runway edge.
“According to witnesses, the aircraft overflew the runway at a low altitude and then entered a climb followed by a left turn to remain in the airport traffic pattern. Data indicated that the aircraft was flying on the downwind leg at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet above sea level (MSL) before turning baseline and beginning to descend. The aircraft then began its turn to land just east of the centerline of runway 33,” the report said.
“Witnesses reported observing the aircraft make a hard landing and bounce approximately in the middle of the runway. The aircraft then made a second hard landing and bounce before drifting to the left of the runway centerline and disappearing from their view,” the report continued.
Investigators discovered scars on the ground, including a gouge about 120 meters from the end of the runway, scratch marks and a lashing ring.
According to the accident scene investigation, the crash occurred approximately 214 meters north of the end of the runway.
Preliminary investigation determined that the first identifiable point of impact was a 120-foot-tall tree, based on an area of detached bark about 100 feet above the ground. At the base of one tree was the outer section of the right wing with a concave depression in the center. The main wreckage was found about 80 feet to the north, consumed by a post-crash fire. It caused a small fire in a wooded area, the progression of which was stopped by a major fire department effort later that day.
“All major structural components of the aircraft were identified at the accident site. A debris trail was marked by several broken branches and broken treetops,” it said.
The plane did not explode.
Two memes remembered
In an obituary, Smith’s family described him as “a dedicated, respected and loyal employee who diagnosed problems with the helicopters from his hospital bed just one day after suffering a cardiac arrest and was able to return to work within a few weeks.”
In Grass Valley’s “The Union,” Kulp was described by members of aviation organizations as someone working toward his dream of becoming a pilot with Cal Fire, and this season he achieved his ultimate goal in life: to fly for pay as a commercial pilot.
Both left behind families. On the day of the crash, Cal Fire Director and Chief Joe Tyler authorized flags to be flown at half-staff and badges to be covered in honor of their memory and service. The two were employees of Amentum Aviation, a Cal Fire contractor.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office determined that the couple were the only ones recovered from the wreckage of the Cessna T206H.
The full report, which will include the cause, is expected to take one to two years from the crash date. The NTSB’s investigation will look at the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. Investigators will collect flight data, recordings of all air traffic control communications, weather reports, a 72-hour pilot background, pilot license, ratings and recent flight experience, electronic equipment information and video, maintenance records and witness statements, according to an NTSB spokesman.
Witnesses to the accident and anyone with surveillance video or other information relevant to the investigation are asked to email the NTSB at [email protected].
You can reach Sage Alexander at 707-441-0504.
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