# NTSB ANC85LA151: Cessna C-207, N9480M, Mountain Villag, AK, August 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mountain Villag, AK
- Coordinates: 62.090175, -163.709777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0902&lon=-163.7098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather service - inadequate, faa(other/organization) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS AWARE OF THE WEATHER HE WAS OPERATING IN AND INTENDED TO FLY THROUGH A LOCALLY WELL KNOWN PASS. HE MISIDENTIFIED THE PASS AND FOUND HIMSELF IN A NARROW VALLEY. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT WIDTH TO EFFECT A 180 DEGREE TURN AND THE RISING VALLEY FLOOR CONTINUED INTO THE CLOUDS WHICH OBSCURED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE STRAIGHT AHEAD ON AN 80 PERCENT SLOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9480M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9480M-1989-04-13), registration cancelled 1989-04-13, S/N 20700696, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-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: 20700696
- Airframe hours: 47706
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hermans Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: KSM, ST MARY'S, AK
- Destination: KOT, KOTLIK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,394 total, 613 in this make and model, 1,322 as pilot in command, 248 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F

## 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 19850812038849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812038849A), Aug 12, 1985: Cessna 207A, Mountain Villag, AK, Substantial damage. Turned into wrong valley and was unable to execute a 180. Impacted terrain. Weather factor, uncontrolled airspace.

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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