# NTSB ANC91FA018: Cessna 208, N9444F, False Pass, AK, December 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1990, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: False Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 54.890678, -163.409683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=54.8907&lon=-163.4097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED COLD BAY FOR THE APRX 15 MIN FLT TO FALSE PASS. THERE ARE NO WX REPORTING FACILITIES AT FALSE PASS. COLD BAY WX WAS 4,500 FT OVCST, LIGHT RAIN & FOG; FORECAST CALLED FOR FREQ CEILINGS BELOW 1,000 FT. WRECKAGE LOCATED BETWEEN TWO MOUNTAINS. FALSE PASS WX ESTIMATED 400 FT OVCST, 2-3 MI IN RAIN & FOG, WINDS 25-30 KTS. FISHING BOAT CAPTAIN IN AREA ESTIMATED WINDS DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AT 60 MPH OR GREATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9444F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9444F-1994-01-28), registration cancelled 1994-01-28, S/N 20800104 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Registry model: [Cessna 208](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208) (registry code 2073702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800104
- Airframe hours: 1787
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Markair Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 15, 1990, 94 hours before
- Departed: CDB, COLD BAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 323 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 186 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901221055559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901221055559A), Dec 21, 1990: Cessna 208, False Pass, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck rising terrain in mountain Pass. Low ceiling rain and fog in area. Strong turbulent surface winds.

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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