On July 20, 1992, a Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair (registration N9975M) operated by MarkAir Express was involved in an aviation accident near Dillingham, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot in command's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance from terrain. A factor was the pilot diverted his attention to secure a loose fire extinguisher. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
The pilot bent down to retrieve a fire extinguisher, then looked up to see a hill. After pulling up, the aircraft struck the hill but continued. It later stalled, struck again, and nosed over.
Accident Sequence
The pilot bent down to retrieve the fire extinguisher that was between his feet and to replace it in the bracket located under the pilot's seat. When he looked up, he saw a hill in front of the airplane. He pulled up, and the airplane struck the hill but continued to fly. He then pulled back on the yoke and added full power, and the airplane entered the clouds. He noticed he was about to stall the airplane, so he lowered the nose, and the airplane immediately struck the hill again and nosed over.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was the pilot in command's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance from terrain. A factor was the pilot diverted his attention to secure a loose fire extinguisher.