Crash of a Cessna T207A Turbo Stationair 8 in Monument Valley

Date & Time: May 23, 2011 at 1520 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N803AN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Grand Canyon - Monument Valley
MSN:
207-0570
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
965
Captain / Total hours on type:
140.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13417
Circumstances:
According to the airplane's operator, the airplane was part of a flight of four airplanes that were taking an organized tour group of revenue passengers on a sightseeing tour of southern Utah. While operating in a high density altitude environment, the pilot was flying into an airport that had a 1,000-foot cliff about 400 feet from the end of the runway he was landing on. Because of the presence of the cliff, the Airguide Publications Airport Manual stated that all landings should be made on the runway that was headed toward the cliff and that all takeoffs should be made on the runway that was headed away from the cliff. The manual also stated that a go-around during landing was not possible. During his approach, the pilot encountered a variable wind and downdrafts. During the landing flare, the airplane dropped onto the runway hard and bounced back into the air. The pilot then immediately initiated a go-around and began a turn away from the runway heading. While in the turn, he was most likely unable to maintain sufficient airspeed, and the airplane entered a stall/mush condition and descended into the ground. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's decision to initiate a go-around after a bounced landing at an airport where go-arounds were not advised and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Tuluksak

Date & Time: Sep 3, 2010 at 1830 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N9942M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tuluksak - Bethel
MSN:
207-0756
YOM:
1983
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4545
Captain / Total hours on type:
245.00
Aircraft flight hours:
29550
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from runway 20, aircraft hit tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area near the airport. Both passenger were slightly injured while the pilot was seriously injured. Aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The director of operations for the operator stated that soft field conditions and standing water on the runway slowed the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane did not lift off in time to clear trees at the end of the runway and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage when it collided with the trees. The pilot reported that he used partial power at the beginning of the takeoff roll to avoid hitting standing water on the runway with full power. After passing most of the water, he applied full power, but the airplane did not accelerate like he thought it would. He recalled the airplane being in a nose-high attitude and the main wheels bouncing several times before the airplane impacted the trees at the end of the runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot's delayed application of full power during a soft/wet field takeoff, resulting in a collision with trees during takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Crooked Creek

Date & Time: Jun 16, 2009 at 1620 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1623U
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aniak – Sleetmute – Crooked Creek
MSN:
207-0223
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1388
Captain / Total hours on type:
486.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9089
Circumstances:
The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, other work use flight when the accident occurred. As he approached his destination airport, he said he saw a large rain squall moving over the airport, and he elected to remain south of the airport to allow time for it to move. He reported that while maneuvering the airplane at 1,000 feet msl, all engine power was lost. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot selected a marshy tree-covered area as a forced landing site. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the forced landing. The NTSB discovered no mechanical problems with the engine during a postaccident teardown and examination.
Probable cause:
A total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Poesoegroenoe

Date & Time: Aug 21, 2008
Registration:
PZ-TRR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Poesoegroenoe – Paramaribo
MSN:
207-0313
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Poesoegroenoe Airstrip, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. All six occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Aniak

Date & Time: Jan 16, 2008 at 1215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1701U
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Crooked Creek - Aniak
MSN:
207-0301
YOM:
1975
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9455
Captain / Total hours on type:
1914.00
Aircraft flight hours:
18448
Circumstances:
The commercial certificated pilot was returning from a remote village after a round robin flight of about 130 miles over a frozen and snow-covered river. He was in cruise flight about 500 feet agl, but then circled while holding between 6 or 7 miles east of his destination airport, awaiting a special VFR (SVFR) clearance. The weather condition in that area was about 1 mile visibility, with a ceiling of about 1,000 feet agl. After receiving his SVFR clearance, the pilot flew toward the airport, but the engine fuel pressure began fluctuating. The engine rpm began decreasing, along with the airplane's altitude. The pilot switched fuel tanks, selected full flaps, and prepared for a forced landing. He said the weather was near white-out conditions, but he could see the bank of the river. After switching fuel tanks from the left to the right tank, the engine power suddenly returned to full power. He applied forward flight control pressure to prevent the airplane from climbing too fast, but the airplane collided with the surface of the river. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage. At the time of the accident, the ceiling at the airport was 600 feet obscured, with a visibility of 1/2 mile in snow. Neither the fuel status of the accident airplane, nor the mechanical condition of the engine, were verified by either the NTSB or FAA.
Probable cause:
A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent encounter with IMC conditions, and a whiteout during his attempted go around from an emergency landing approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in the Cook Inlet: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2007 at 1035 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N9941M
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kenai - Kokhanok
MSN:
207-0748
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5291
Captain / Total hours on type:
512.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13774
Circumstances:
The commercial certificated pilot prepared for a VFR cross-country nonscheduled cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, by preflighting the wheel-equipped airplane and starting the engine. The airplane had been parked on the airport ramp overnight, with an electric engine heater and an engine cover on. A portion of the flight was over ocean waters to a remote village. After engine start, the pilot contacted the company owner and reported that the engine oil pressure appeared to be low, but within the operating range. The owner and the pilot discussed the possible reasons, such as cold ambient temperatures, which was about -20 degrees F. The pilot then departed, and reported to his company that the engine pressure was good. About 10 minutes later, he declared an emergency and stated he was ditching in the water, about 18 miles west of the departure airport. Retrieved track data from the pilot's GPS showed the airplane's maximum altitude was 1,439 feet msl, while crossing the ocean in an area that was about 22 miles wide. A review of the manufacturer's maximum glide distance chart revealed that from an altitude of about 1,500 feet, the airplane could glide about 2.1 nautical miles. The airplane was located about two hours after the accident, floating nose down next to a segment of pan ice, about 8.8 miles from the initial accident location. The pilot was not recovered with the airplane, and subsequent searches did not locate him. Following recovery of the airplane, examination of the engine revealed a 8 X 5 inch hole in the top of the case, adjacent to the number 2 cylinder. The number 2 connecting rod was broken from its crankshaft journal, and broken from the bottom of the piston. The number 1 connecting rod bearing was missing from its normal position on the crankshaft journal and the rod had evidence of high heat. Evidence of oil starvation and high heat signatures to several crankshaft and connecting rod bearings was found throughout the engine, along with a large amount of fragmented bearing material. The pilot was not wearing any personal flotation equipment, and the expected survival time in the 29 degree F ocean water was about 30 minutes. The company's operations manual does not contain a written policy requiring pilot's to maintain sufficient altitude to reach shore when crossing ocean waters.
Probable cause:
The total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the disintegration of engine bearings and the fracture of a connecting rod, which resulted in a ditching into ice covered ocean water. Factors contributing to the survivability of the accident were the pilot's improper decision to fly over frigid water without sufficient altitude to reach a suitable landing area, the lack of written policy and procedures by the operator requiring sufficient altitude to reach shore when crossing ocean waters, temperature extremes consisting of sub-zero air and below freezing water temperatures, and the lack of personal flotation/survival equipment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Ocumare del Tuy: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 2006 at 1143 LT
Registration:
YV-1220
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Ocumare del Tuy - Puerto Ayacucho
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Ocumare del Tuy Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing in a city center's avenue. Just prior to landing, the single engine aircraft collided with a telephone line and crashed on an autobus. The pilot, the bus driver and a bus passenger were killed. The pilot departed Ocumare del Tuy Airport on a cargo flight to Puerto Ayacucho.

Crash of a Cessna 207A Stationair 8 II off High Bluff

Date & Time: Nov 7, 2006 at 0715 LT
Operator:
Registration:
V3-HDT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Orange Walk – Corozal
MSN:
207-0716
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Orange Walk Airport at 0700LT for a 30 miles flight to Corozal, North Belize. After 15 minutes, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to ditch the aircraft about 4 miles south of High Bluff. The aircraft sank in shallow water (about 5 feet deep). All 6 occupants were rescued by the crew of a boat.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons. The engine was recently overhauled.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Tuntutuliak

Date & Time: Oct 13, 2006 at 1512 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7336U
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bethel - Tuntutuliak
MSN:
207-0405
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
21781
Circumstances:
The commercial certificated pilot was attempting to land on a remote runway during a Title 14, CFR Part 135, cargo flight. The approach end of the runway is located at the edge of a river. During the pilot's fourth attempt to land, the airplane collided with the river embankment, and sustained structural damage. The director of operations for the operator reported that he interviewed several witnesses to the accident. They told him that the weather conditions in the area had been good VFR, but as the pilot was attempting to land, rain and mist moved over the area, reducing the visibility to about 1/4 mile. Within 30 minutes of the accident, the weather conditions were once again VFR. The pilot told an FAA inspector that the weather conditions consisted of a 500 foot ceiling and 2 miles of visibility. The pilot reported that he made 3 passes over the runway before attempting to land. On the last landing approach, while maintaining 80 knots airspeed, the pilot said the nose of the airplane dropped, he applied full power and tried to raise the nose, but the airplane collided with the river bank.
Probable cause:
The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude during the landing approach, which resulted in an undershoot and in-flight collision with a river embankment. Factors contributing to the accident were reduced visibility due to rain and mist.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Caño Negro: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 2006 at 1700 LT
Registration:
YV-492C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Caño Negro – Puerto Ayacucho
MSN:
207-0260
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Caño Negro Airport, while climbing, the single engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. Both occupants were killed.