# NTSB ANC91LA038: Cessna 207, N9968M, Saint Marys, AK, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1991, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Saint Marys, AK
- Coordinates: 62.060932, -163.290191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0609&lon=-163.2902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE MANEUVERING ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S FAILURE TO EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT EXISTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A VFR FLIGHT AT 500 FEET AGL IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A TURN WAS INITIATED TO REVERSE COURSE BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS (WHITEOUT), AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9968M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9968M-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 20700768, built 1984 (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: 20700268
- Airframe hours: 7636
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Markair Express
- Registered owner: Markair Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 24, 1991, 59 hours before
- Destination: KOT, KOTLIK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,600 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910327007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910327007819A), Mar 27, 1991: Cessna 207A, Saint Marys, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into heavy snowshower. Reversed course into white out. Reversed again trying get bush reference. Hit deep snow.

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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