On October 2, 1989, a Cessna 208 (registration N9382F) operated by Mark Air Express was involved in an aviation accident near King Salmon, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN, UNFAVORABLE WIND, DOWNDRAFT, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, AND HIS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot attempting to pick up a hunting party from a small lake encountered a wind shift and downdraft during takeoff, preventing the airplane from clearing the far shore.
Incident Overview
A pilot was attempting to transport a hunting party from a small lake that he had not landed on before. The flight was the pilot's last of a very busy day, and the hunters were already a day late in being picked up due to the weather.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, while landing and loading his passengers, the wind shifted. He was unaware of the wind shift. The wind was blowing over a small hill beside the lake, creating a downdraft. When the airplane became airborne, the takeoff was delayed due to the wind shift and downdraft, and the airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the far shore.
What happened in the 2 Oct 1989 Cessna 208 accident near King Salmon, AK?
A pilot attempting to pick up a hunting party from a small lake encountered a wind shift and downdraft during takeoff, preventing the airplane from clearing the far shore.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Oct 1989 involved a Cessna 208, registration N9382F, operated by Mark Air Express, at King Salmon, AK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN, UNFAVORABLE WIND, DOWNDRAFT, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, AND HIS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE.
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