# NTSB ANC01LA031: Cessna 207, N7340U, Kongiganak, AK, January 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 19, 2001, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Kongiganak, AK - Coordinates: 58.820129, -157.860336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8201&lon=-157.8603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was departing on runway 36, which required a correction for a right crosswind. The runway surface had a light accumulation of freshly plowed snow. While on the departure roll, about half-way down the runway, the airplane veered to the left. In an attempt to maintain runway alignment, the pilot stated that he applied full right rudder, and full right aileron. Just before takeoff, the airplane's left main wheel contacted soft snow on the left side of the runway. The airplane pivoted 90 degrees to the left, and nosed over. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On January 19, 2001, about 1635 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N7340U, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Kongiganak Airport, Kongiganak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight transporting mail under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned by Gussic Ventures Partnership, doing business as Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company visual flight rules (VFR) flight following procedures were in effect for the flight to Bethel, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on January 20, the pilot reported that runway 36 had a light accumulation of freshly plowed snow. He added that winds were strong out of the east, estimated to be 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, which required a correction for a right crosswind. The pilot said while on the departure roll, about half-way down the runway, the airplane veered to the left. He said that in an attempt to maintain runway alignment, he applied full right rudder, and full right aileron. Just before takeoff, the airplane's left main wheel contacted soft snow on the left side of the runway. The airplane pivoted 90 degrees to the left, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7340U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7340U), registered now, S/N 20700407, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 207 - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700407 - Airframe hours: 12114.6 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F27B 300 horsepower unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Hageland Aviation Services - Registered owner: Gussic Ventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, January 5, 2001, 65.5 hours before - Departed: DUY, KONGIGANAK, AK - Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: DUY, Kongiganak, runway 36, 1,880 × 35 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 19, 2000; flight hours: 925 total, 100 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010119039969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010119039969A), Jan 19, 2001: Cessna 207A, Kongiganak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was departing Kongiganak Airport with a 90 degree crosswind of approximately 20 to 25 mph. During takeoff, it was difficult to… ## Other investigations on N7340U (2) 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 ANC95LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA020), Dec 13, 1994: Cessna 207 (N7340U), Saint Mary'S, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM… - [NTSB LAX79FUJ74](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUJ74), May 16, 1979: Cessna 207 (N7340U), Show Low, AZ, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.