Cessna 207A N6479H

Summary

On 25 February 1995 at about 16:50 local time, a Cessna 207A registered N6479H, operated by Yute Air Alaska, was involved in an accident near Kotzebue, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 February 1995 at 16:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

67.2399, -161.1897

Aircraft

Cessna 207A

Registration

N6479H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Yute Air Alaska

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Kivalina

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95FA120

1 person died.

the pilot's decision to enter a box canyon area at an altitude inadequate to maintain terrain clearance. The pilot's lack of mountain flying experience was a factor in this accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PILOT WAS CONTACTED BY A COMPANY PILOT FLYING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. DURING THEIR CONVERSATION THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS 'LOOKING FOR WOLVES.' SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE COMPANY PILOT TOLD THE PILOT THAT HIS RADIO TRANSMISSIONS WERE BREAKING UP. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE HE WAS 'BEHIND A RIDGE.' THE COMPANY PILOT TEMPORARILY WENT OFF FREQUENCY; HOWEVER, WHEN HE SWITCHED BACK HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LATER LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF A BOX CANYON ABOUT 100 FEET BELOW THE TOP OF THE RIDGE. THE NORMAL COURSE LINE FOR THE ROUTE TYPICALLY FLOWN BY COMPANY PILOTS IS 6 MILES AWAY. THE PILOT HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN MOUNTAIN FLYING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.