# NTSB ANC86FA007: Cessna 208, N9241F, Bethel, AK, November 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1985, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809795, -161.849411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8098&lon=-161.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - not used, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED ON TAKEOFF DUE TO THE FUEL SELECTORS BEING IN THE OFF POSITION. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENG DURING WHICH TIME THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. ACCORDING TO PASSENGERS THE PLT DID NOT USE A CHECKLIST NOR WHERE THE PASSENGERS BRIEFED BEFORE THE FLT. THE WRECKAGE WAS VISIBLE FROM THE ARPT CONTROL TWR BUT WAS NOT LOCATED UNTIL SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT BY AIR SEARCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9241F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9241F-1989-05-26), registration cancelled 1989-05-26, S/N 20800006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Registry model: [Cessna 208](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208) (registry code 2073702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800006
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hermens Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hermens Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: VAK, CHEVAK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 6,399 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,009 total, 154 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET, 8 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 19851101055809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851101055809A), Nov 1, 1985: Cessna 208, Bethel, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine flameout after intersection departure. Struck ground nose low. Suspect improper fuel tank was selected.

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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