# NTSB ANC97LA027: Cessna 207, N7389U, Chevak, AK, February 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1997, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Chevak, AK - Coordinates: 61.529121, -165.600875 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5291&lon=-165.6009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2965/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA027 ## Probable cause the pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, his misjudgment of distance and altitude during the approach to land, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point during the landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the flat/white-out lighting condition. ## Analysis The pilot was on a cargo flight and was making an intermediate stop at a remote airport. Another company airplane landed about 3 minutes before the accident flight. The weather conditions included flat lighting conditions and overcast skies. Visibility near the runway varied from 1/2 to 3/4 mile in blowing snow, with a right quartering crosswind of 20 to 30 knots. The pilot indicated the airplane developed a high sink rate near the approach end of the runway, and he added engine power to stabilize the landing approach. The pilot reported that about 150 to 200 yards from the approach end of the runway, he encountering white-out conditions. The nose wheel of the airplane struck a snow berm 12 inches wide and 6 inches high, at the edge of the runway safety area, about 100 feet short of the runway threshold. Witnesses observed the airplane approaching the runway at a shallow angle with nearly 200 yards remaining before the beginning of the runway environment. The runway was marked with illuminated lighting and orange cones. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1997, about 1840 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207, N7389U, collided with terrain while landing at Chevak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country cargo flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Camai Air, Bethel, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed near the runway. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Bethel airport, about 1730. In the pilot/operator report submitted by the operator, the pilot indicated he was landing on runway 32, about 3 minutes behind another company airplane. The weather conditions included flat lighting conditions, visibility from 1 to 5 miles, and a right quartering crosswind of 20 to 25 knots. The pilot indicated the airplane developed a high sink rate near the approach end of the runway and he added engine power to stabilize the landing approach. About 150 to 200 yards from the approach end of the runway, the pilot reported encountering white-out conditions. The airplane then struck a snow berm with the nose wheel. The pilot reported the snow berm was 12 inches wide, 6 inches high, and extended the full width of the runway. The nose wheel was sheared off, damaging the underside of the fuselage. The airplane touched down on the runway and received damage to the propeller, engine cowling, and nose gear strut. An Alaska State Trooper observed the accident airplane during the landing approach. He estimated the weather conditions as 700 feet overcast, visibility, 1/2 to 3/4 mile in blowing snow, wind from the north at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. The trooper indicated the airplane appeared to be approaching the runway at a shallow angle with nearly 200 yards remaining before the beginning of the runway environment. The airplane collided with a snow berm about 2 feet short of the runway safety area. The runway safety area extends approximately 100 feet from the beginning of the runway threshold. The airplane came to rest on the runway, about 600 feet from the threshold. The trooper also indicated the runway was marked with illuminated lighting and orange cones. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - light condition - other (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - berm ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7389U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7389U), registered now, S/N 20700432, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 207 - 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: 20700423 - Airframe hours: 15460 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Village Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: BET, BETHEL, AL - Destination: VAK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: VAK, Chevak, runway 32, 2,610 × 40 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,300 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 6,200 as pilot in command, 311 in the last 90 days, 119 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 325° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °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 19970222003669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970222003669A), Feb 22, 1997: Cessna 207A, Chevak, AK, Substantial damage. High sink on final and whiteout. Hit 6 inch snow berm. 100FT short runway. Sheared nose gear. Landed on runway. ## Other investigations on N7389U (1) 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 ANC83FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA030), Jan 7, 1983: Cessna 207A (N7389U), Aniak, 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. --- 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.