NTSB Identification: ANC88FA020.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 34850.
Nonscheduled 14 CFR
Accident occurred Thursday, December 10, 1987 in AMBLER, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/11/1989
Aircraft: CESSNA 207A, registration: N9979M
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE PLT OF THE AIR TAXI CARGO FLT WAS OPERG AT NIGHT IN MARGINAL VFR CONDS WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS FND THE NEXT DAY AT APRX 1000 AST, SOME 15 MI OFF THE INTENDED ROUTE. THE PLT WAS UNCONSCIOUS & SUFFERING FM HYPOTHERMIA & OTHER INJURIES. HE WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, BUT DIED LATER THAT DAY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT STRUCK THE SOUTH SIDE OF BISMARK MTN AT APRX 2100' MSL WHILE IN LVL FLT. ANOTHER PLT, WHO WAS FLYING IN THE AREA ABOUT 2-1/2 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT, RPRTD THAT CLASSIC WHITE-OUT CONDS EXISTED WITH MOD SNOW FALL & ICE CRYSTALS RDCG FWD VIS TO LESS THAN 1/2 MI. THE PLT (OF N9979M) HAD BEEN RECENTLY HIRED BY BERING AIR & HAD ONLY ABOUT 23 HRS OF KNOWN FLT TIME IN THE GENERAL AREA. AT THE TIME OF EMPLOYMENT, HE INDCD HE HAD APRX 1536 HRS OF FLT TIME; HOWEVER, ONLY 446 HRS OF FLT TIME WAS VERIFIED BY HIS LOGBOOK & OTHER SOURCES. MIN FLT TIME TO ACT AS A PIC IN THE AIR TAXI OPN WAS 500 HRS.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..CONTINUED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED..INADVERTENT..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PROPER ALTITUDE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES..NOT FOLLOWED
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
INADEQUATE SUBSTANTIATION PROCESS..COMPANY/OPERATOR MGMT
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..OBSCURATION
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..ICE FOG
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..SNOW
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..WHITEOUT
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..HIGH TERRAIN
Contributing Factors
LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH GEOGRAPHIC AREA..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OPERATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
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