# NTSB ANC89FA042: Cessna 207, N73771, Nome, AK, February 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1989, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Nome, AK
- Coordinates: 64.709556, -164.619674 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7096&lon=-164.6197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA042

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER RESULTING FROM FUEL INTERRUPTION DUE TO A BLOCKAGE IN THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP LOW PRESSURE CHECK VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,pump - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE TRANSPORT PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TWICE WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE MINUTES. HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN ENGINE POWER BOTH TIMES, BUT THE SECOND TIME THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED ON A SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN SIDE BEFORE THE DESCENT COULD BE STOPPED. A TEAR DOWN AND ANALYSIS OF THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP REVEALED AN EIGHTH INCH LONG THREAD-LIKE METAL SLIVER LODGED UNDER THE LOW PRESSURE CHECK VALVE PLUNGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73771](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73771-1998-03-30), registration cancelled 1998-03-30, S/N 20700626, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 20700626
- Airframe hours: 6537
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Olson Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 27, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: CIL, COUNCIL, AK
- Destination: OME, NOME, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 28 °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 19890209002159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890209002159A), Feb 9, 1989: Cessna 207A, Nome, AK, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Crash landed on mountainside in whiteout. Fuel pump fouled. Had departed into foul weather.

## Other investigations on N73771 (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 ANC81DA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA111), Sep 4, 1981: Cessna 207A (N73771), Golovin, AK, 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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