# NTSB ANC85LA062: Cessna 207, N9970M, Port Graham, AK, April 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1985, 08:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Port Graham, AK
- Coordinates: 59.399391, -151.320465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3994&lon=-151.3205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A RWY COVERED WITH 4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW, ICE & SLUSH. THE ACFT THEN SWERVED SIDEWAYS, COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK & WAS DAMAGED. THE ARPT WAS LOCATED ON PUBLIC DOMAIN & WAS NOT REGULARILY ATTENDED OR MAINTAINED. ON THE MORNING OF THE MISHAP, SNOW FELL & THERE WAS A LIGHT DUSTING OF FRESH SNOW COVERING THE SLUSH ICE & WATER PUDDLES. ALSO, THERE WAS A SEVERE DIP IN THE INITIAL PART OF RWY 12.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9970M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9970M-1997-11-07), registration cancelled 1997-11-07, S/N 20700769, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- 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: 20700769
- Airframe hours: 690
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cook Inlet Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: James P. Fero
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Airport: PGM, Port Graham, runway 12, 2,245 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,900 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 14,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850415014199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850415014199A), Apr 15, 1985: Cessna 207A, Port Graham, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff run with snow, ice, slush on runway. Struck snowbank damaging empennage.

## Other investigations on N9970M (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 ANC92LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA122), Aug 8, 1992: Cessna 207A (N9970M), St. Michael, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN, AND THE LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITION.

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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