# Accident 19970906028239A: Cessna 207A, Bethel, AK, September 6, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 6, 1997, 19:00 local time
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: YUKC
- Location: 60.8098° N, 161.8495° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8098&lon=-161.8495&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7318U, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7318U-2018-12-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 207A (registry code 2073604, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- Reported engine: CONT IO520F
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,450 total, 900 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC97LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA134) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970906028239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE DEPARTING A REMOTE, PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRSTRIP IS 1,000 FEET LONG AND 40 FEET WIDE, AT AN ELEVATION OF 1,200 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.  IT IS LOCATED IN A NARROW CANYON WITH STEEP TERRAIN ON THE NORTH SIDE, AND LOWER HILLS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ON A MAGNETIC HEADING OF 130 DEGREES, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT INDICATED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND SUDDENLY ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT.  THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING TOWARD THE GROUND, AND COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN.  THE PILOT INDICATED THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 040 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC97LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA134), Sep 7, 1997: Cessna 207A (N7318U), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions. Factors in the accident were a downdraft, crosswind conditions, and rough/uneven terrain.

## Other reports on N7318U (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20130227003209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130227003209I), Feb 27, 2013: Cessna 207A (N7318U), Tuluksak, AK, Minor damage. Pilot statement and interview provided the following events: Inbound flight to Tuluksak descending from 800 feet, turning left base for runway 33 at 500 to 600…
- [Incident 19910714039619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910714039619I), Jul 14, 1991: Cessna 207 (N7318U), Denali, AK, Minor damage. Pilot made a precautionary landing due to weather.
- [Accident 19801218088399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801218088399A), Dec 18, 1980: Cessna 207 (N7318U), Pilot Station, AK. Pilot left airplane with idling engine. Passenger deplaned and walked into prop. Had been warned not to exit.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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