Accident Overview
On November 14, 2008, at approximately 1710 Alaska Standard time, a Cessna 207 airplane, registration N36CF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for landing at Napaskiak, Alaska. The aircraft was subsequently consumed by a postcrash fire. The airplane was operated as Flight 555 by Flight Alaska, doing business as Yute Air Alaska, from Anchorage, Alaska. The flight was a visual flight rules (VFR) commuter operation under Title 14 CFR Part 135. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.
Flight History
The flight originated at Quinhagak Airport, Quinhagak, Alaska, at approximately 1625, and was destined for Bethel, Alaska. Earlier that day, numerous flights from Bethel had been canceled or delayed due to poor weather. The weather improved in the afternoon, with a ceiling of about 1,500 feet and visibility of 7 miles. The pilot departed Bethel at 1452 for his first destination, Eek, Alaska, but chose not to land due to low visibility, continuing to Quinhagak. En route, the pilot encountered light icing conditions and deiced the airplane after landing at Quinhagak.
Accident Sequence
The pilot departed Quinhagak with one passenger. He reported that the Bethel Airport was reporting a ceiling of 500 feet overcast and visibility of 5 miles. After departure, weather at Bethel deteriorated, prompting the pilot to divert to Napaskiak. While maneuvering over the Napaskiak Airport, the pilot began a descending left turn toward the approach end of runway 02. The airplane stalled and mushed to the ground, approximately 250 feet short of the runway threshold. It collided with tall brush and terrain, and a postcrash fire erupted as the pilot and passenger were exiting the aircraft.
Pilot Statement
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on November 17, the pilot reported that upon arriving over Napaskiak Airport, he was about 200 feet above ground level, and visibility was about 1 mile. He stated that the airplane had accumulated some ice. He initiated a left turn for the runway, but the left wing stalled, causing the airplane to mush into the ground.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather reporting facility is Bethel, about 5 miles northwest of the accident. At 1705, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) indicated: wind from 190 degrees true at 8 knots; visibility 3/4 statute mile in mist; clouds broken at 500 feet, broken at 1,600 feet, overcast at 2,900 feet; temperature 21°F; dew point 21°F; altimeter 29.79 inHg.