# NTSB ANC12CA019: Cessna 207A, N800DF, Nikiski, AK, January 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 23, 2012, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Coordinates: 60.724998, -151.300003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7250&lon=-151.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82750 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82750/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82750 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper identification of the runway surface. Contributing to the accident was the snow covering the runway lights. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: snow removal service/equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a night landing, the pilot misidentified the runway surface and landed the airplane in a snowbank on the left side of the runway. He stated that most of the runway lights had been covered by heavy snow and were not clearly visible when the airplane was on the straight-in approach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative During a night landing, the pilot misidentified the runway surface, and landed the airplane in a snowbank on the left side of the runway. He stated that most of the runway lights had been covered by heavy snow, and were not clearly visible on the straight-in approach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N800DF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N800DF), registered now, S/N 20700621, built 1980 (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: 20700621 - Airframe hours: 8752 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Rediske Air - Registered owner: Johnson Warren E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 23, 2011, 11 hours before - Departed: Trading Bay, AK - Destination: AK73, Nikiski, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: AK73, McGahan Industrial, runway 07, 4,000 × 100 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,759 total, 2,304 in this make and model, 197 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 28.98 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 9 nm away ## 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 20120123000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120123000839A), Jan 23, 2012: Cessna 207A, Nikiski, AK, Substantial damage. On January 23, 2012 about 0815 Alaska standard time, (ast), a tricycle wheel equipped Cessna 207A airplane, N800DF, sustained substantial damage while… ## Other investigations on N800DF (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 ANC99LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA132), Sep 4, 1999: Cessna 207 (N800DF), Ninilchik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor associated with this accident was the sunglare. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82750. 884 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.