Date & Time:
Feb 25, 1995 at 1250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N6479H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Kivalina
MSN:
207-0539
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
UYA1907
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
333
Aircraft flight hours:
8434
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
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.
Final Report:
N6479H.pdf101.46 KB
