# NTSB GAA18CA154: Cessna 207, N1658U, Newtok, AK, February 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 25, 2018, 13:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Newtok, AK - Coordinates: 60.938331, -164.640274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9383&lon=-164.6403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96847 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96847/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96847 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA154 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly check that the flight controls were correctly configured before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Empennage structure: rudder](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection; cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 207, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073602), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a return flight, he chose to fly from the right pilot seat to allow a cargo-handler to sit in the left pilot seat. The taxi to the runway was short and required little rudder input. However, during takeoff, as he added power, he "did not seem" to have full right rudder authority, and he was unable to maintain the runway centerline. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a small ridge, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot further reported that, after the accident, he realized the airplane had stowable rudder pedals on the right side and that they had been placed in the "stowed" position. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a return flight, he elected to fly from the right pilot seat, to allow a cargo-handler to sit in the left pilot seat. The taxi to the runway was short and required little rudder input. However, during takeoff, as he added power, he "did not seem" to have full right rudder authority and he was unable to maintain the runway centerline. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck a small ridge, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left-wing. The pilot further reported that, after the accident, he realized the airplane had stow-able rudder pedals on the right side, and that they had been placed in the "stowed" position. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1658U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1658U), registered now, S/N 20700258, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 207 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 207](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207) (registry code 2073602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700258 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Paklook Air, doing business as Yute Commuter Service - Registered owner: Michael Wade Renfro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EWU, Newtok, AK - Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: EWU, Newtok, runway 33, 2,202 × 35 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; foreign, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21,930 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,185 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 23 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: PAVA, 45 nm away ## 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 20180225004399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180225004399A), Feb 25, 2018: Cessna 207, Newtok, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered to the left during the takeoff roll and once airborne continued veering to the left and struck a snow bank. ## Other investigations on N1658U (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 ANC00LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA085), Jul 7, 2000: Cessna 207 (N1658U), Anaktuvuk Pass, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. Factors associated with the accident were a fuel drum, and a tailwind. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96847. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 859 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462054&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF 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.