# NTSB ANC97LA134: Cessna 207A, N7318U, Bethel, AK, September 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1997, 19:00 local (Sep 7, 1997, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.809841, -161.849456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8098&lon=-161.8495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3055/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA134 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions. Factors in the accident were a downdraft, crosswind conditions, and rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot and three passengers were departing a remote, private airstrip. The airstrip is 1,000 feet long and 40 feet wide, at an elevation of 1,200 feet mean sea level. It is located in a narrow canyon with steep terrain on the north side, and lower hills on the south side. During the takeoff on a magnetic heading of 130 degrees, the airplane lifted off near the end of the runway. The pilot indicated that after lift-off the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above the ground, and suddenly encountered a downdraft. The airplane began descending toward the ground, and collided with rough terrain. The pilot indicated the wind conditions at the time of the accident were 040 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1997, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207A airplane, N7318U, crashed during takeoff from a remote, private airstrip at Canyon Creek, Alaska, about 65 miles east of Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Yukon Aviation, Bethel, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, and three passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported the airplane was transporting passengers from the Canyon Creek airstrip that is 1,000 feet long and 40 feet wide, at an elevation of 1,200 feet mean sea level. The gravel airstrip is oriented on a 130/310 degree heading. The airplane became overdue, and the operator dispatched another airplane to the airstrip. The search airplane's crew located the accident airplane off the end of the runway. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 7, 1997, about 1400, the pilot reported he departed on a 130 degree heading, and lifted off the airstrip near the end of the runway. After liftoff, the pilot indicated the airplane climbed to about 50 feet above the ground, and suddenly encountered a downdraft. The airplane began descending toward the ground, and collided with rough terrain. The airplane came to rest in a small creek, and received damage to the nose wheel, propeller, right elevator, and right wing. The pilot reported in the NTSB pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), that the airstrip is located in a narrow canyon with steep terrain on the north side, and lower hills on the south side. The pilot indicated the local weather conditions consisted of: Sky condition and ceiling, 10,000 feet scattered; visibility, 40 statute miles; temperature, 55 degrees F; wind, 040 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7318U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7318U-2018-12-07), registration cancelled 2018-12-07, S/N 20700396, built 1977 (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: 20700396 - Airframe hours: 6922 - Engines: Continental IO-520F 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Yukon Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 1997, 98 hours before - Destination: BET, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Canyon Creek, runway 13, 1,000 × 40 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19970906028239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970906028239A), Sep 6, 1997: Cessna 207A, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot and three passengers were departing a remote, private airstrip. The airstrip is 1,000 feet long and 40 feet wide, at an elevation of 1,200 feet… ## Other investigations on N7318U (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 ANC81FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA010), Dec 18, 1980: Cessna 207 (N7318U), Pilot Station, AK, no 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. --- 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.