# NTSB ANC86FA014: Cessna C-207, N6497H, Napaskiak, AK, December 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1985, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Napaskiak, AK
- Location: 60.7011° N, 161.7626° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Napaskiak, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7011&lon=-161.7626&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - pitot system - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, dispatcher (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, THE WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION WAS DETERIORATING SO HE DIVERTED TO NAPASKIAK WHERE HE ENCOUNTERED FREEZING DRIZZLE RAIN AND FOG. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ALIGN HIMSELF WITH THE RUNWAY FOR A LANDING TO THE SOUTH, THE WINDSHIELD ICED OVER SO HE WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT. HE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE AREA IN SEARCH OF BETTER WEATHER SO HE ADDED POWER AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6497H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6497H-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 20700545 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-207
- Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700545
- Airframe hours: 6353
- Engines: Teledyne Cont IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ryan Air Service
- Registered owner: Ryan Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 5, 1985, 64 hours before
- Departed: DUY, KONGIGANAK, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PKA, Napaskiak, runway 19, 2,400 × 45 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,568 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,411 as pilot in command, 399 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BET, 5 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 19851215062119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851215062119A), Dec 15, 1985: Cessna 207A, Napaskiak, AK, Destroyed. Flew VFR into area of low ceiling. Fog and freezing rain. Ice on windshield. Struck river ice turning to land.

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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