# NTSB ANC92LA122: Cessna 207A, N9970M, St. Michael, AK, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: St. Michael, AK
- Coordinates: 63.469741, -162.109405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.4697&lon=-162.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN, AND THE LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE UP SLOPE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, AT THE 500 FOOT LEVEL, AND CAME TO REST ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE 1,000 FOOT HIGH MOUNTAIN.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED, SO HE LANDED ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE.  NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE.  MARGINAL VFR AND IFR WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST FOR THE AREA.  TO THE IMMEDIATE LEFT OF THE CRASH SITE WERE MILES OF OPEN SEA LEVEL TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9970M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9970M-1997-11-07), registration cancelled 1997-11-07, S/N 20700769, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- 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: 20700769
- Airframe hours: 8037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Hageland Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Gussic Ventures
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 1992, 35 hours before
- Departed: MOU, MOUNT. VILLAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 923 total, 420 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19920808029689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808029689A), Aug 8, 1992: Cessna 207A, St Michael, AK, Substantial damage. Indicates pilot flew into side of cloud obscured mountain. Blamed force landing. No engine defect. VFR not advised.

## Other investigations on N9970M (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 ANC85LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA062), Apr 15, 1985: Cessna 207 (N9970M), Port Graham, 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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