Cessna 207A N17GN

Summary

On 23 August 2008 at about 02:15 local time, a Cessna 207A registered N17GN, operated by Hageland Aviation, was involved in an accident near Kongiganak, Alaska, United States. 6 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 August 2008 at 02:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Kongiganak (PADY)

Coordinates

59.9608, -162.8814

Aircraft

Cessna 207A

Registration

N17GN

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hageland Aviation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kongiganak → Bethel

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC08LA111

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff on a short, wet runway with a heavily loaded airplane, and his failure to abort the takeoff before it became impracticable.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a short, wet runway with five passengers, and baggage when the accident occurred. He stated that the heavily loaded airplane didn't seem to accelerate as fast as it should have, and slowed down each time it encountered one of the numerous pools of water on the runway. He said the airplane became airborne about 3/4 down the runway, but would not climb. He realized the airplane was going to collide with the tundra, and added more flaps as the airplane passed over the end of the runway, and pulled back on the elevator control to minimize the impact. The pilot stated that he didn't think the engine was developing full power, although he had no problems with it during previous flights that day. He also noted that he was uncertain as to the actual weight of the airplane at takeoff, but said it was at or below the allowable gross weight. A review of the operator's maintenance records for the accident airplane disclosed no recent mechanical problems or pilot complaints about the engine's performance. An FAA inspector inspected the accident engine postaccident and monitored it during a test run at the operator's facilities. The inspector found no anomalies with the engine, and stated that it developed full rated rpm during the test run. A witness to the accident said the airplane appeared to be heavily loaded with bags and people, and that it slowed significantly each time it hit a puddle of water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.