# NTSB ANC21LA025: Cessna 208B, N407GV, Chevak, AK, March 13, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 12, 2021, 16:45 local (Mar 13, 2021, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Chevak, AK · VAK - Coordinates: 61.537846, -165.60223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5378&lon=-165.6022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the back-taxi for departure in strong crosswind conditions which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the snow-and-ice-covered runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); 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) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 208B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073701), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while back-taxiing for departure, on a snow-and-ice-covered runway in a strong crosswind, the airplane began to slide towards the left side of the runway. He corrected for the slide back towards the runway center line, but the airplane encountered a “violent gust of wind” and began to slide again. He applied right brake and right rudder while leaving in full right aileron, but the airplane had zero braking action. As the airplane continued to slide, he applied engine power in an attempt to increase the rudder authority and “correct the direction back towards the runway” to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, the left wheel impacted a snowbank, and the airplane “tipped” to the left. The airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude, banked to the left at about a 40° angle, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was wind from 120° at 20 knots. The pilot was back taxiing on runway 20. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N407GV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N407GV), registered now, S/N 208B0616, 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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0616 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 27418.2 - Engines: P&W PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Grant Aviation, doing business as Grant Aviation - Registered owner: Avion Capital Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 13, 2021 - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: VAK, Chevak, runway 02-20, 3,220 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 2,643 total, 645 in this make and model, 2,551 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 34 knots, gusting 42 - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: PACZ, 19 nm away - METAR: PACZ 130155Z AUTO 14034G42KT 1/2SM -FZRA FG BKN007 BKN043 M08/M10 A3031 ## 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 20210312002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210312002319A), Mar 12, 2021: Cessna 208B, Chevak, AK, Substantial damage. 1) On 03/12/2021 the airman was dispatched to take a flight to hooper bay and Chevak Alaska. 2) A flight risk assessment log was filled out and initialed by… ## Other investigations on N407GV (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 ANC00LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA033), Mar 4, 2000: Cessna 208B (N407GV), Holy Cross, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight separation of a main landing gear tire mud flap, and subsequent impact with the horizontal stabilizer. 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.