Incident Overview
On January 16, 2008, at approximately 1215 Alaska Standard time, a Cessna 207 airplane, registration N1701U, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a snow- and ice-covered river near Aniak, Alaska. The aircraft was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, by Inland Aviation Services Inc. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect.
Flight Sequence
The flight originated from Crooked Creek Airport, Crooked Creek, Alaska, about 1130. The pilot initially departed Aniak with full fuel tanks for Crooked Creek, approximately 65 miles distant along the Kuskokwim River. During the entire flight to and from Crooked Creek, the airplane had been flown for 45 to 60 minutes with the fuel selector positioned on the left tank.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at about 500 feet above ground level (agl), he circled in a holding pattern approximately 6 to 7 miles east of Aniak, awaiting a special VFR (SVFR) clearance into Aniak Class E airspace. The weather in that area was reported as about 1 mile visibility with a ceiling of about 1,000 feet agl. After receiving the SVFR clearance around 1153, the pilot proceeded toward Aniak. About 3 miles from Aniak, the engine fuel pressure began fluctuating, followed by a decrease in engine rpm and altitude. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right, selected full flaps, and prepared for a forced landing. He described the weather as near white-out conditions, yet he could see the river bank. After switching fuel tanks, the engine power suddenly returned to full. The pilot applied forward flight control pressure to prevent the airplane from climbing too rapidly, but the airplane collided with the river surface. The accident site was about 1 mile east of Aniak.
Weather Conditions
Automated weather observations at Aniak at 1156 reported wind from 200 degrees true at 6 knots, visibility 1 statute mile, ceiling 600 feet broken, with broken layers at 1,800 and 12,000 feet. At 1216, the reported conditions were wind from 190 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 1/2 statute mile, and an overcast ceiling at 600 feet. The temperature was 32°F, dew point 30°F, and altimeter 29.79 inHg. The operator's accident report noted the ceiling was 600 feet obscured and visibility was restricted by snow.
Aftermath
The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings and fuselage. At about 1225, the pilot made radio contact with another aircraft and reported that he had crashed. The director of maintenance for the operator informed the NTSB that the pilot had received SVFR clearance and was following the Kuskokwim River from Crooked Creek. The total flight distance along the river from Aniak to Crooked Creek and back was approximately 130 miles. Neither the fuel status at the time of the accident nor the mechanical condition of the engine was verified by an NTSB or FAA investigator.