# NTSB ANC08LA106: Cessna 207A, N9935M, Bethel, AK, August 18, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 2008, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 61.209537, -149.859619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2095&lon=-149.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA106

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The pilot of the other airplane's excessive taxi speed while taxiing to the runway, and his failure to see the stopped airplane ahead of him in time to avoid a collision.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The pilot's excessive taxi speed while taxiing to the runway, and his failure to see the stopped airplane ahead of him in time to avoid a collision.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

Two airplanes of the same make and model and operated by the same air taxi operator were taxiing to the runway from the ramp area. Airplane "B" had stopped in the ramp area, when airplane "A" came from behind and struck airplane "B's" left wing with its right wing. Both airplanes were preparing to depart on Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air taxi flights. The director of operations for the operator indicated that there were no mechanical problems with either airplane and that the pilot of airplane "A" was taxiing too fast for the conditions and didn't see the other airplane in time to stop. Both airplanes received substantial damage.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

Two airplanes of the same make and model and operated by the same air taxi operator were taxiing to the runway from the ramp area. Airplane "B" had stopped in the ramp area, when airplane "A" came from behind and struck airplane "B's" left wing with its right wing. Both airplanes were preparing to depart on Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air taxi flights. The director of operations for the operator indicated that there were no mechanical problems with either airplane and that the pilot of airplane "A" was taxiing too fast for the conditions and didn't see the other airplane in time to stop. Both airplanes received substantial damage.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On August 18, 2008, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207A airplane, N9935M, collided with another Cessna 207A, N7380U, while taxiing on the ramp at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14, CFR Part 135 flights by Flight Alaska, dba Yute Air, Anchorage, Alaska. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo commercial pilot of N9935M, or the commercial pilot and the sole passenger of N7380U, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and company VFR flight plans were in effect. N9935M was en route to Eek, Alaska as an on-demand air taxi, and N7380U was en route to Quinhagak, Alaska, as scheduled commuter Flight 510. According to the operator's director of operations, and the written statement of the pilot of N9935M, both airplanes were in the vicinity of the company hangar, when the front of the right wing of N9935M collided with the trailing edge of the left wing of N7380U. N9935M was taxiing for takeoff, and N7380U was stopped on the ramp, prior to taxiing for takeoff. The pilot of N9935M stated that he was taxing too fast, and didn't see the other airplane in time to avoid hitting it. The director of operations said the pilot of N7380U, was giving the passenger a pretakeoff briefing, and just caught a glimpse of N9935M as it collided with his airplane's left wing trailing edge. N9935M's damage was primarily on the leading edge of the right wing, requiring replacement of a rib and a section of the leading edge; damage to N7380U was primarily the left wing flap, and the left aileron, which required replacement.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On August 18, 2008, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207A airplane, N9935M, collided with another Cessna 207A, N7380U, while taxiing on the ramp at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14, CFR Part 135 flights by Flight Alaska, dba Yute Air, Anchorage, Alaska. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, but neither the solo commercial pilot of N9935M, or the commercial pilot and the sole passenger of N7380U, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and company VFR flight plans were in effect. N9935M was en route to Eek, Alaska as an on-demand air taxi, and N7380U was en route to Quinhagak, Alaska, as scheduled commuter Flight 510. According to the operator's director of operations, and the written statement of the pilot of N9935M, both airplanes were in the vicinity of the company hangar, when the front of the right wing of N9935M collided with the trailing edge of the left wing of N7380U. N9935M was taxiing for takeoff, and N7380U was stopped on the ramp, prior to taxiing for takeoff. The pilot of N9935M stated that he was taxing too fast, and didn't see the other airplane in time to avoid hitting it. The director of operations said the pilot of N7380U, was giving the passenger a pretakeoff briefing, and just caught a glimpse of N9935M as it collided with his airplane's left wing trailing edge. N9935M's damage was primarily on the leading edge of the right wing, requiring replacement of a rib and a section of the leading edge; damage to N7380U was primarily the left wing flap, and the left aileron, which required replacement.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N9935M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9935M), registered now, S/N 20700751, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-f) (registry code 17237, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700751
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Flight Alaska, doing business as Yute Air
- Registered owner: Bethel Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 29, 2008
- Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK
- Destination: EEK, EEK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PABE, Bethel

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N7380U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7380U-2018-08-27), registration cancelled 2018-08-27, S/N 20700428 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- 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: 20700428
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Flight Alaska, doing business as Yute Air
- Registered owner: Bethel Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK
- Destination: AQH, Quinhagak, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PABE, Bethel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N9935M; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,954 total, 3,322 in this make and model, 3,617 as pilot in command, 358 in the last 90 days, 341 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N7380U; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 210 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: pabe

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20080818845621A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080818845621A), Aug 18, 2008: Cessna 207A, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) In his admission of fault, [privacy data omitted], who was operating as pilot in command of N9588M stated: he was taxiing too fast, was in too much of a…
- [Accident 20080818845402A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080818845402A), Aug 18, 2008: Cessna 207A, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The iic's investigation revealed that [privacy data omitted], the pilot in command of N7380U, was not in motion and had the right of way, when he was run…

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.

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