# NTSB ANC23LA006: Cessna 207, N23CF, Bethel, AK, November 20, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 20, 2022, 11:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK · Tundra - Coordinates: 60.711872, -161.68636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7119&lon=-161.6864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106337 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106337/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106337 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA006 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the engine experienced a loss of power at 1,000 ft above ground level. The pilot performed the emergency checklist but was unable to restore engine power. He performed a forced landing to an area of ice-covered frozen tundra. Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the left fuel tank was full, and the right fuel tank was empty. No fuel was present in the fuel lines from the cockpit fuel selector to the engine. During the engine examination, the engine started and ran normally. Other than the absence of fuel, no anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s fuel selector can only operate in the left or right fuel tank position. The operator’s procedure is to change the selected fuel tank at the midpoint of the flight; however, the pilot indicated after the engine examination that he likely forgot to switch fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 2022, about 1140 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207 airplane, N23CF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bethel, Alaska. The commercial pilot and six passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 passenger flight. The flight departed from the Goodnews Bay Airport (GNU) at 1035, on a scheduled flight to the Bethel Airport (BET). While in cruise flight at 1,000 ft above ground level, about 8 minutes from BET, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot performed the emergency procedures but was unable to regain engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an area of ice-covered frozen tundra about 10 miles southeast of the airport. After landing the pilot contacted the operator’s dispatch for rescue. Examination of the photographs taken at the accident site revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane before recovery revealed the left fuel tank was full with about 40 gallons of fuel and the right fuel tank was empty. When power was applied to the airplane the fuel indicating system displayed the left fuel tank was almost full and the right fuel tank was empty. The airplane was recovered to the Bethel Airport for an engine examination. During the examination, no fuel was found in the fuel lines from the fuel selector in the cockpit to the engine. The damaged propeller was removed, and a serviceable propeller was installed. The engine fuel boost pump was used, and the engine started and ran normally. Visual inspection of the engine found no abnormalities. The pilot later stated he believed the engine had an engine oil pump issue and was concerned with using the fuel boost pump, fearing he was adding fuel to a possible fire. The pilot had little time to troubleshoot the engine problem and his main concern was finding a safe place to land. He said at about 75 to 100 ft above the ground, he switched the fuel selector to the left tank but did not turn on the fuel boost pump. The Cessna 207 fuel selector can only operate in the left or right fuel tank position. It is the operator’s procedure to change the selected fuel tank at the midpoint of the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23CF), registered now, S/N 20700276, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 207 - Registry model: [Cessna 207](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207) (registry code 2073602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700276 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Yr-Aircraft Leasing LLC, doing business as Yute Commuter Service - Registered owner: Yr-Aircraft Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GNU, Goodnews, AK - Destination: PABE, Bethel, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,328 total, 530 in this make and model, 1,181 as pilot in command, 277 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.35 inHg - Observed at: PABE, 6 nm away - METAR: PABE 202053Z 03003KT 10SM BKN050 OVC080 M05/M06 A2935 RMK AO2 SLP941 T10501061 56004= ## 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 20221120018509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221120018509A), Nov 20, 2022: Cessna 207, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Departed from goodnews bay at 1035AM on a flight to Bethel. [privacy data omitted]Departed rwy 06 with a right turn out toward Bethel. Pilot called base with… ## Other investigations on N23CF (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 ANC92LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA095), Jun 19, 1992: Cessna 207 (N23CF), Quinhagak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO TOTAL OIL LOSS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SEPARATION OF THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER FROM THE OIL PUMP DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND NON ADHERENCE TO… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106337. 9.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14990826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20N23CF%20(002)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14991404&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA006%20comb%20witness%20statements-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16170301&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA006%20Engine%20Exam%20corrected-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14991209&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ANC23LA006_Redacted-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.