On 2007-10-09 09:52:32 -0700, RL Anderson said:

Greetings All,

Thought I'd pass on that there has been a horrific crash this past
Sunday (7 Oct). There was a Caravan used for skydiving, with 10 people
aboard, traveling between Star Idaho and Shelton Washington. The
airplane went down in the general vicinity of White Pass, a 4500 foot
mountain pass on US 12, located on the boundary of Yakima and Lewis
Counties, in the South Central Washington Cascade Mountains. According
to local news, no survivors have been found. I am acquainted with
several skydivers and some of the other folks at the aircraft owner,
Skydive Kapowsin. I hope that none of the folks I know are involved.

Here are some links to the story.

http://www.herald-republic.com/page/dis/290013970261411

http://www.herald-republic.com/page/dis/290013901892319

Pass on as you see fit.

Rick

Latest reports from NW Cable News a

"The Cessna Caravan was flying to Shelton from Boise, Idaho under
Visual Flight Rules at night.

Radar shows the plane was flying at 13,000 feet.* Everything appeared
fine as the Cessna was about to cross the Cascade crest into western
Washington.
Then, the plane turned north for about a minute.* It made a tight 360
degree turn, and then dropped 1,400 feet in just 12 seconds.* It
recovered to its original altitude and held it for 10 to 20 seconds.*
About a minute later, it hit the ground.
But then the plane turns to the north for about a minute.*
Two witnesses in the valley said they heard the plane's engine rev as
it apparently tried to maintain altitude.
Weather recorded at White Pass Sunday night was listed as in the 30s,
with light precipitation, raising the possibility of icing -- something
the plane was equipped to handle.
"It has de-icing boots on the wings," said Mike Robertson, FAA safety
investigator.* "It also has de-ice boots on the prop blades, as well as
de-icing capability on the engine itself. *At this point, we see that
the boots are there.""
Odd. The plane hits the ground, but then it turns to the north for
about a minute. Or maybe it was just bad editing.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor