# NTSB ANC88FA022: Cessna 208, N9438F, Bethel, AK, December 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1987, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810405, -161.8497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8104&lon=-161.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not possible
  - aborted takeoff
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO BACK TAXI FOR TAKEOFF ON RWY 36. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ASKED IF A RWY 18 DEPARTURE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AN ARRIVING ACFT & THE PLT ACCEPTED A CLNC. HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF WITH 3900' REMAINING ON THE 6399' RWY. AFTER INITIAL LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. THE PLT 'INTENTIONALLY LANDED' BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A SLIGHT TAIL WIND & THE ACFT WAS APRX 1200 TO 1400 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT. ALSO, THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS HAD SOME RESIDUAL IN-FLT ICE THAT THE DE-ICE BOOTS HAD NOT CLEARED FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY'S FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9438F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9438F-2010-09-09), registration cancelled 2010-09-09, S/N 20800053, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Registry model: [Cessna 208](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208) (registry code 2073702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800053
- Airframe hours: 1179
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hermens Air, doing business as Mark Air Express
- Registered owner: Hermens Markair Express Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 9, 1987, 137 hours before
- Destination: RSH, RUSSIAN MISSION, AK
- Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 6,399 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,138 total, 360 in this make and model, 2,138 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 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 19871219070739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871219070739A), Dec 19, 1987: Cessna 208, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. 1200 Lbs over gross weight and downwind. Not using full runway and ice on wings. Unable to fly, aborted and crashed.

## Other investigations on N9438F (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 ANC91FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA142), Sep 3, 1991: Cessna 208 (N9438F), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INATTENTIVE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE ENGINE OIL TUBE FILLER CAP RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND OIL PRESSURE AND THE PILOT'S…

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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