# NTSB ANC99LA023: Cessna 207, N19TA, Chevak, AK, January 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1999, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Chevak, AK - Coordinates: 61.530872, -165.600097 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5309&lon=-165.6001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 45705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45705/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Factors associated with the accident were freezing rain, an accumulation of ice on the wings and ailerons, and diminished directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal - weather condition - freezing rain (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - flt control syst,aileron control - ice (contributing factor) - directional control - diminished (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot reported that during his initial descent to the Chevak Airport, the airplane became 'heavy to control' while flying through snow showers mixed with rain. He stated that while on a left base for landing on runway 14, the airplane failed to respond to left control yoke movements. He said that he was able to turn the airplane slowly to the right, 270 degrees from his original heading, and align the airplane for landing on runway 14. He stated that while on short final over the threshold of the runway, he again applied left control yoke movement to correct for a 12 to 15 knot, left crosswind. The control movement again failed to have any effect, and the airplane drifted to the right, touched down to the right of the runway, and nosed over. The pilot stated that a postaccident inspection revealed ice formation on the airplane's wings, struts, and fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1999, about 1050 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N19TA, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Chevak Airport, Chevak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand cargo/U.S. mail flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Arctic Transportation Services, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, about 0947. In his written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot related that during his initial descent to the Chevak Airport, the airplane became "heavy to control" while flying through snow showers mixed with rain. He wrote: "I observed ice gathering on the struts, wings, and some on the windshield. With the plane feeling heavier, I started descending faster to try to get below the freezing level." He said that while on a left base for landing on runway 14, the airplane failed to respond to left control yoke movements. He said that he was able to turn the airplane slowly to the right, 270 degrees from his original heading, and align the airplane for landing on runway 14. He stated that while on short final over the threshold of the runway, he again applied left control yoke movement to correct for a 12 to 15 knot, left crosswind. The control movement again failed to have any effect, and the airplane drifted to the right, touched down to the right of the runway, and nosed over. The pilot stated that a postaccident inspection revealed ice formation on the airplane's wings, struts, and fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The director of operations for the company wrote in the NTSB Pilot / Operator report, that weather conditions at the accident airport were, in part: Sky conditions and ceilings, 700 feet broken; visibility, 2-3 statute miles with rain and snow; wind, 050 degrees at 12 to 15 knots; temperature, 18 degrees F; altimeter, 28.96 inHg. Hooper Bay, Alaska, is located 18 miles west of the accident site. At 1151, an unaugmented AWOS was reporting, in part: Wind, 070 degrees (true) at 16 knots; visibility, 6 statute miles; clouds, 100 feet broken, 1,000 feet overcast; temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point, 15 Degrees F; altimeter, 28.68 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19TA-2010-12-08), registration cancelled 2010-12-08, S/N 20700468, 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: 20700468 - Airframe hours: 14424 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Arctic Transportation Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, December 14, 1998, 49 hours before - Departed: VAK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: VAK, Chevak, runway 14, 2,610 × 40 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 854 total, 155 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 50° at 12 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken - Temperature: 18 °F - Altimeter: 28.00 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 19990112004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990112004889A), Jan 12, 1999: Cessna 207A, Chevak, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 12, 1999, about 1050 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N19TA, sustained substantial damage during landing the Chevak… 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.