Cessna 207 N9794M

Summary

On 3 August 2001 at about 20:50 local time, a Cessna 207 registered N9794M, operated by Denali Air Taxi, Inc., was involved in an accident near Healy, Alaska, United States. 6 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2001 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Healy, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.7000, -148.2000

Aircraft

Cessna 207

Registration

N9794M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Denali Air Taxi, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Healy → Denali Airstrip

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01LA099

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions after becoming lost/disoriented. Factors in the accident were rising terrain, a blind/box canyon, low clouds, and rain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated commerical pilot was flying the second airplane in a flight of two airplanes, within an area of mountainous terrain. Shortly after takeoff he lost sight of the first airplane, but was able to maintain radio contact. As the flight progressed, it began to rain, accompanied by diminished visibility and low ceilings. He then became disoriented to his exact position, and he mistakenly turned into a small valley. The pilot said that once he entered the valley, the terrain began rising, so he initiated a climb. The valley became too narrow to turn around, and the clouds began to close around the airplane as he continued to climb. The terrain continued to rise, and he noticed his airspeed was decreasing. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with rising terrain, and sustained substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.