# NTSB ANC85FA085: Cessna C-207A, N73635, Golovin, AK, May 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1985, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Golovin, AK
- Coordinates: 64.709548, -164.620132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7095&lon=-164.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA085

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY THROUGH A MOUNTAIN SADDLE. AS HE TURNED TOWARDS THE MOUNTAIN AND BEGAN HIS CLIMB THE WEATHER DETERIORATED RAPIDLY WITH CEILINGS ZERO, VISIBILITY ZERO AND SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE SIDE OF A 1707 FOOT HIGH MOUNTAIN AT THE 1590 FOOT LEVEL ON A MAGNETIC HEADING OF 015 DEGREES. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73635](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73635-1995-03-09), registration cancelled 1995-03-09, S/N 20700610, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-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: 20700610
- Airframe hours: 5132
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: David Olson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1985, 85 hours before
- Departed: GLV, GOLOVIN, AK
- Destination: ELI, ELIM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,280 total, 420 in this make and model, 4,150 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 24 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OME, 71 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 19850516075129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850516075129A), May 16, 1985: Cessna 207A, Golovin, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Encountered snow squall and turbulence flying through a mountain saddle. Flew into the side of a mountain.

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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