# NTSB ANC89LA029: Cessna 207, N9651M, Kivalina, AK, December 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1988, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Kivalina, AK
- Coordinates: 67.729736, -164.550582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.7297&lon=-164.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS ON A SCHEDULED CARGO FLIGHT TO A REMOTE VILLAGE IN WESTERN ALASKA WHEN HE REPORTEDLY HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE SAID THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A FROZEN LAKE. HE IS UNCERTAIN WHY THE ENGINE HAD A LOSS OF POWER, AND THE REMOTENESS OF THE CRASH SITE AND EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD PRECLUDED RECOVERY OF THE AIRPLANE FOR EXAMINATION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THE WEATHER AS 4,000' OVERCAST WITH 8 MILES VISIBILITY. OTHER PILOTS FLYING IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA REPORTED THE WEATHER AS MUCH WORSE, BORDERING ON INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9651M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9651M), registered now, S/N 20700715, built 1981 (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: 207-0075
- Airframe hours: 42856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Baker Aviation
- Registered owner: Arctic Eagle, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 16, 1988, 293 hours before
- Departed: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22,760 total, 8,028 in this make and model, 22,528 as pilot in command, 334 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 33 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °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 19881228056939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881228056939A), Dec 28, 1988: Cessna 207A, Kivalina, AK, Substantial damage. Reported partial power loss and flew into the snow covered ground at night trying to find the designated airport.

## Other investigations on N9651M (2)

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 ANC24LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA043), Jun 3, 2024: Cessna 207A (N9651M), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper short-field takeoff procedure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC91LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA027), Feb 10, 1991: Cessna 207 (N9651M), Kivalina, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE IN NOT IDENTIFYING THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE ROUTE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION BY THE PIC AND THE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

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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