# NTSB ANC87FA146: Cessna U206E, N9407G, Harding Glacier, AK, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1987, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Harding Glacier, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS NON-PILOT ADULT MALE PASSENGER WERE FLYING FROM MODESTO, CA, TO SOLDOTNA, AK, FOR A HUNTING TRIP. THE PILOT, WHO HAD APPROXIMATELY 164 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND WHO HAD NO PRIOR FLYING EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA, WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY OVER A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A MOUNTAIN GLACIER AT THE 5600' LEVEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE REPORTEDLY LESS THAN VFR, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE, RAIN, AND CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT'S FORMER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD REPORTEDLY ADVISED HIM NOT TO UNDERTAKE THE FLIGHT DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN ALASKA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9407G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9407G-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N U20601607 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206E
- Registry model: [Cessna U206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206e) (registry code 2073350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20601607
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-F 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul R. Persano
- Registered owner: Paul R Persano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1987, 70 hours before
- Departed: YAK, YAKUTAT, AK
- Destination: SXO, SOLDOTNA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 164 total, 81 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Observed at: SWT, 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 19870906051609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870906051609A), Sep 6, 1987: Cessna U206E, Harding Glacier, AK, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Struck the upslope of a fog obscured Glacier in level flight. Had been advised not to attempt the route chosen.

## Other investigations on N9407G (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 ATL81FKW20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKW20), Jul 25, 1981: Cessna 206 (N9407G), Kingsport, TN, substantial damage

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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