# NTSB ANC13CA042: Cessna 207A, N9400M, Newtok, AK, May 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2013, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Newtok, AK - Coordinates: 60.939167, -164.641387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9392&lon=-164.6414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86836/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86836 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: fog](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035055/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a scheduled commuter flight reported that he was about 4 miles north of the destination airport and operating in VFR weather conditions. According to the operator, as the flight approached the airport, the visibility was reduced due to fog. The pilot then initiated a gradual descent over an area of featureless, snow-covered terrain, which made it difficult to discern any topographical terrain features due to flat light conditions. The operator reported that the pilot could see his destination airport in the distance but that, during the descent, he became “uncomfortable” with the approach, and he initiated a go-around. The airplane subsequently collided with a snow-covered frozen river, about 1 mile from the approach end of the airport, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. One of the passengers aboard the accident airplane wrote, in part, “I looked out the window to my right to see if I could see the airport and did not, it was too foggy.” The operator reported that the accident flight was the pilot’s second attempt to reach the destination airport that day. During the previous flight that morning, poor weather conditions prevailed, so the pilot returned to his departure airport to wait for weather conditions to improve. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a scheduled commuter flight reported that he was about 4 miles north of the destination airport, operating in VFR weather conditions. According to the operator, as the flight approached the airport, the visibility was reduced due to fog. The pilot then initiated a gradual descent over an area of featureless, snow-covered terrain, which made it difficult to discern any topographical terrain features due to flat light conditions. In the operator’s written statement to the NTSB, it was reported that the pilot could see his destination airport in the distance, but during the descent he became “uncomfortable” with the approach, and he initiated a go-around. The airplane subsequently collided with a snow-covered frozen river, about 1 mile from the approach end of the airport, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. In a written statement provided by one of the passengers aboard the accident airplane, she wrote, in part: “…I looked out the window to my right to see if I could see the airport and did not, it was too foggy.” The operator reported that the accident flight was the pilot’s second attempt to reach the destination airport that day. During the previous flight that morning poor weather conditions prevailed, so the pilot returned to his departure airport to wait for weather conditions to improve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9400M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9400M-2013-12-05), registration cancelled 2013-12-05, S/N 20700687, built 1981 (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: 20700687 - Airframe hours: 24472 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Hageland Aviation, doing business as Era Alaska - Registered owner: Icecap LLC Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 20, 2013 - Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK - Destination: PAEW, Newtok, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PAEW, Newtok, runway 33, 2,202 × 35 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,001 total, 533 in this make and model, 1,728 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: PAOO, 28 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 20130504007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130504007189A), May 4, 2013: Cessna 207A, Newtok, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to land at Newtok, AK. Pilot reported he lined up on a 4NM final and was able to see a building located at airport. Pilot reported… ## Other investigations on N9400M (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 ANC99LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA008), Oct 26, 1998: Cessna 207A (N9400M), Noorvik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were a dark night and low ceilings. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86836. 799 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 649 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-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.