# NTSB ANC91LA027: Cessna 207, N9651M, Kivalina, AK, February 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1991, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Kivalina, AK
- Coordinates: 67.730567, -164.549682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.7306&lon=-164.5497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA027

## 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.

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AT 700 MSL WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A COMPLETE WHITEOUT CONDITION.  AT THE TIME OF THE WHITEOUT CONDITION, HE BELIEVED HE WAS WEST OVER THE OCEAN.  A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT THE 700 FOOT LEVEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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: 207A00715
- Airframe hours: 5084
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 2, 1991, 10 hours before
- Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,811 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,633 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910210003159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910210003159A), Feb 10, 1991: Cessna 207, Kivalina, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed into side of mountain. Was flying in white out condition. Stated hill invisible right to impact.

## Other investigations on N9651M (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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 ANC89LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA029), Dec 28, 1988: Cessna 207 (N9651M), Kivalina, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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