# NTSB ANC13LA012: Cessna 208B, N169LJ, Mekoryuk, AK, December 3, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 2012, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Mekoryuk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.400001, -166.336944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4000&lon=-166.3369&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Hageland Aviation, FAA AVP-100, Cessna Aircraft
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85738/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85738
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA012

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power as a result of a fractured first-stage compressor blade due to fatigue cracking. The source of the fatigue crack could not be determined due to secondary damage sustained to the fracture surface.

## Findings

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

- [Engine (turbine/turboprop): compressor section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230/cases.md)
- [Engine (turbine/turboprop): compressor section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057230/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Shortly after the scheduled commuter flight departed with the second-in-command (SIC) at the controls, the engine "coughed," started vibrating, and lost power. The SIC attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the pilot-in-command assumed control of the airplane and landed on a frozen bay, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's right wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane's engine revealed that one of the first-stage compressor blades had fractured due to fatigue cracking. The source of the fatigue crack could not be determined due to secondary damage sustained to the fracture surface.

## Factual narrative

On December 3, 2012, about 1050 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N169LJ, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from the Mekoryuk Airport, Mekoryuk, Alaska. Of the nine people aboard, the two pilots and six passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as Flight 140, by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., dba ERA Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled commuter flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Mekoryuk Airport about 1045, and was destined for Bethel, Alaska.In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot-in-command (PIC) stated that the second-in-command (SIC) was the flying pilot for the flight to Bethel. He said that the takeoff and initial climb were normal, but shortly after passing 1,000 feet, the engine "coughed," started vibrating, and lost power. An attempt to restart the engine was not successful. The PIC assumed control of the airplane, and landed on a frozen bay approximately 5 miles northeast of the Mekoryuk Airport. Witnesses at the airport observed the airplane descending, and responded with snow machines, and all-terrain vehicles to transport the airplane's occupants back to Mekoryuk. During the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A turbine engine. A postaccident engine examination, performed at the facilities of Pratt & Whitney Canada, St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada, and under the direction of a senior NTSB powerplants investigator, revealed that a blade on the first stage compressor rotor failed as a result of a fatigue fracture. The fatigue crack initiated from the leading edge area and then propagated towards the trailing edge, and at mid-chord, the blade released by tensile overload. The initiation of the fracture could not be determined because of secondary damage to the fracture surface. A copy of the Safety Board powerplants investigator's report is included in the public docket for this incident. During the last engine overhaul, 5 first stage compressor blades were replaced with new blades. The blade that failed during the accident flight was one of the five replaced blades based on the batch numbers recorded on the blades.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169LJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169LJ-2015-11-06), registration cancelled 2015-11-06, S/N 208B0599, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B
- Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-114a) (registry code 52257, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208B0599
- Airframe hours: 11516
- Engines: P&W PT6A SER 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hageland Aviation Services, doing business as ERA Alaska
- Registered owner: Icecap LLC Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 29, 2012, 123 hours before
- Departed: PAMY, Mekoryuk, AK
- Destination: PABE, Bethel, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MYU, Mekoryuk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 7,932 total, 2,732 in this make and model, 7,332 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 923 total, 368 in this make and model, 417 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: PAMY, 4 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 20121203028509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121203028509A), Dec 3, 2012: Cessna 208B, Mekoryuk, AK, Substantial damage. According to a statement from one of the aircrewman, they departed myu on rwy 5. The co-pilot was at the controls during take off. At approximately 1000 feet…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85738. 5.5 MB in all.

- Powerplants 8 - Powerplant Group Field Notes with 23 Photos (item 1, .PDF, 23 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Powerplants%208%20-%20Powerplant%20Group%20Field%20Notes%20with%2023%20Photos-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - ERA (item 5, .PDF, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation%20-%20ERA-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1. Right side view of airplane (item 6, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane-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.

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