# NTSB ANC96LA019: Cessna 207A, N755AB, Newtok, AK, December 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1995, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Newtok, AK - Coordinates: 60.810348, -161.849166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8103&lon=-161.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2792/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered runway, and gusty crosswinds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The operator reported the pilot and a company mechanic were attempting to takeoff from a snow covered runway in gusty crosswind conditions. The pilot applied engine power to begin the takeoff roll, and the airplane weathervaned into the wind. The pilot reduced power, and the airplane straightened out, but was blown downwind, off the side of the runway and part way down an embankment. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 1995, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207A airplane, N755AB, collided with a snowbank during takeoff at Newtok, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Yute Air, Anchorage, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported that the pilot and company mechanic were departing runway 15 for a return flight to Bethel, Alaska. The runway was packed snow that had been plowed earlier in the day. Several company flights had utilized the runway prior to the accident. During the takeoff roll, upon initial application of engine power, the pilot reported that the airplane weathervaned into the wind. He reduced power and straightened the airplane, but the wind blew the airplane downwind, off the runway's edge and down an adjacent embankment. The weather conditions at the time were reported by the operator as 800 feet overcast; visibility 2 to 3 miles; wind from the east at 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the airplane received substantial damage to the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N755AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N755AB-2019-07-24), registration cancelled 2019-07-24, S/N 20700622 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700622 - Airframe hours: 8766 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Yute Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 19, 1995, 91 hours before - Departed: WWT - Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: WWT, Newtok, runway 15, 2,180 × 35 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,132 total, 563 in this make and model, 1,008 as pilot in command, 359 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °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 19951216043359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951216043359A), Dec 16, 1995: Cessna 207A, Newtok, AK, Substantial damage. Weathervaned on initial takeoff roll. Aborted but was blown off runway down an embankment. Right wing damaged. ## Other investigations on N755AB (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 ANC98LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA056), May 22, 1998: Cessna 207 (N755AB), Quinhagak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and his premature liftoff, resulting in a collision with a runway light fixture. Factors in the accident were wet runway… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.