KSFF
The initial reports of low vis were probably from the crash site...not the airport. It's not unusual for GEG and SKA to have low vis in fog but for KSFF to be much better. The ILS/DME at KSFF has mins of 3/4 mile and get's you down to 270 AGL. The LOC only mins get you down to 907 AGL and require 1 and 1/4 mile vis. TDZE is 1953 MSL.
Would the number two nav on the Metro in question have DME and GS capability since the number one was inop?
The news reports stated that the crash was near Lehman road. The terrain where he hit is about 2380 MSL, which would only give him about 500 AGL if he hustled down to LOC minimums after the FAF (assuming a LOC only approach). In fact, I'd dare to say he hit about where you would expect if a guy didn't stop at the MDA on a non-precision approach....he was on or darn close to the LOC centerline.
Anyhow...not to speculate but we know how fast things happen on an approach and the importance of not missing (stopping at) your MDA. Single pilot Metro has got to be a handful, even in the best situation.....
I live about three miles from the crash site and can nearly see where it would be out my window. Was out of country, working, when the crash happened, though. Since I'm a pilot for UPS and wasn't answering my phone....several friends thought I might have been the guy....
The initial reports of low vis were probably from the crash site...not the airport. It's not unusual for GEG and SKA to have low vis in fog but for KSFF to be much better. The ILS/DME at KSFF has mins of 3/4 mile and get's you down to 270 AGL. The LOC only mins get you down to 907 AGL and require 1 and 1/4 mile vis. TDZE is 1953 MSL.
Would the number two nav on the Metro in question have DME and GS capability since the number one was inop?
The news reports stated that the crash was near Lehman road. The terrain where he hit is about 2380 MSL, which would only give him about 500 AGL if he hustled down to LOC minimums after the FAF (assuming a LOC only approach). In fact, I'd dare to say he hit about where you would expect if a guy didn't stop at the MDA on a non-precision approach....he was on or darn close to the LOC centerline.
Anyhow...not to speculate but we know how fast things happen on an approach and the importance of not missing (stopping at) your MDA. Single pilot Metro has got to be a handful, even in the best situation.....
I live about three miles from the crash site and can nearly see where it would be out my window. Was out of country, working, when the crash happened, though. Since I'm a pilot for UPS and wasn't answering my phone....several friends thought I might have been the guy....
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