# NTSB SEA83FA197: Cessna U206F, N8173Q, Juneau, AK, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 14:54 local (21:54 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Coordinates: 58.580875, -134.770767 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5809&lon=-134.7708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA197

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - remedial action - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT, HE PROCEEDED UP THE TAKU INLET NORTHBOUND.  FROM THERE, HE CONTINUED UP OVER THE TAKU GLACIER WHILE CLIMBING TO APRX 5300 FT MSL.THEREAFTER, HE TURNED TO PROCEED DOWN THE MENDENHALL GLACIER & BEGUN A DESCENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 1 MIN LATER, HE DECIDED TO INITIATE A CLIMB & RETURN TO THE TAKU GLACIER BECAUSE THE MENDENHALL AREA APPEARED TO BE CLOSED DUE TO WX. REPORTEDLY, HE THEN ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS, APPLIED FULL POWER, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT STRUCK RISING, GLACIAL TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 4700 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8173Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8173Q-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N U20603101, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 720603101
- Airframe hours: 3918
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Alaska Juneau Aeronautics, Inc, doing business as Wings Of Alaska
- Registered owner: Intraco Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1983, 18 hours before
- Departed: 5Z1, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,870 total, 324 in this make and model, 1,722 as pilot in command, 439 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °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 19830904046479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904046479A), Sep 4, 1983: Cessna U206F, Juneau, AK, Destroyed. Flew into cloud deck and lost control in rising terrain. Recovered control prior impact with glacier ice and snow.

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.

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