# NTSB ANC20LA020: Cessna 208, N454SF, Hooper Bay, AK, February 5, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 4, 2020, 15:50 local (Feb 5, 2020, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Hooper Bay, AK - Coordinates: 61.523887, -166.14472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5239&lon=-166.1447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 8 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Grant Aviation, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100929/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100929 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA020 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to depart from a contaminated runway, and his failure to make a timely decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not accelerating as expected. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart in limited visibility conditions, which likely affected his ability to determine the available runway distance remaining during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: snow](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis While taking off from a snow-covered runway in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot stated that the airplane was not gaining speed as expected, but that there was inadequate runway remaining on which to abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne, and the stall warning horn activated; the airplane subsequently settled back onto the ground, the nose landing gear impacted terrain, and the airplane came to rest upright off the departure end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2020, about 1550 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, N454SF, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Hooper Bay, Alaska. The pilot and seven passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 scheduled passenger flight. According to the pilot, the departure was delayed about 3 hours due to the weather conditions on the day of the accident, which included snow, low visibility, and flat light. Before departing, the pilot received runway reports from the company dispatch that all destination airport runways were suitable. After performing a risk analysis and gathering more weather information, the pilot departed on the flight. While en route to the first airport, he chose to cancel the second leg of the flight due to deteriorating weather conditions, and he informed company dispatch that he would return with all of the passengers to the departure airport. After landing and loading the passengers and baggage, the pilot taxied the airplane for departure. He stated that flat light conditions prevailed and that it was difficult to see down the runway or have any depth perception. He initiated the takeoff with 20° of flaps selected and noticed no issues during the initial takeoff roll. He then noticed that the airspeed was not increasing fast enough but decided that there was inadequate runway remaining on which to abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne, and the stall warning horn activated as the airplane cleared the departure end of the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane in ground effect, but the airplane settled, and the main landing gear impacted the snow-covered terrain. The nose wheel impacted the snow, and the airplane came to rest upright about 150 ft from the end of the runway. The engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that there was about 3 to 5 inches of wet, heavy snow on the runway at the time of departure. The Chart Supplement Alaska discussed the airport information for HPB effective January 30, 2020, and stated under airport remarks: - Unattended. Runway condition not monitored; recommend visual inspection prior to using. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N454SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454SF), registered now, S/N 208B-0797, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 208 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B-0797 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 20344 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Grant Aviation, doing business as Grant Aviation - Registered owner: Aviation Capital Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 24, 2020 - Departed: HPB, Hooper Bay, AK - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HPB, Hooper Bay, runway 13, 3,300 × 75 ft, snow - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,455 total, 1,452 in this make and model, 3,060 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 1.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.07 inHg - Observed at: PAHP ## 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 20200204002009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200204002009A), Feb 4, 2020: Cessna 208B, Hooper Bay, AK, Substantial damage. During the interview, the pilot stated that he attempted a take-off in 3 or more inches of wet heavy snow. During the take-off roll he stated that he was not… ## Other investigations on N454SF (3) 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 ANC08LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA031), Jan 15, 2008: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Contributing to the accident were snow-covered terrain, blowing snow and flat lighting conditions. - [NTSB ANC06CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA011), Dec 13, 2005: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Newtok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway, encountering snow, and the nose gear collapsing. Factors associated with the… - [NTSB ANC02LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA016), Feb 24, 2002: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Tununak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors associated with the accident are snow drifts across the runway, and excessive braking during the rearward roll. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100929. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9270751&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Transcript of pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 19 pages, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9270641&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC20LA020_OShea_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airport information (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11412835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airport%20Info-Rel.pdf - Training (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9862701&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=(Contaminated%20Runways)-Rel.pdf - Safety letter (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11465159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Safety%20Letter_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Safety letter response (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11463516&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Grant%20Response_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11413090&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SAnchorage%2020021113110_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9270854&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.