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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 2, 1990 · Cessna P206C · N8646Z

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Cessna P206C
Tail Number
N8646Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC90FA164

DURING A WX BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED, PASSES WERE CLOSED, AND THAT TWO PILOT REPORTS INDICATED CLOUDS WERE TO THE GROUND NEAR A PASS. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED ANCHORAGE APPROACH CONTROL STATING HE WAS 73 MI NORTH OF ANCHORAGE, LANDING, AND REQUESTED TRAFFIC SEPARATION AND RADAR VECTORS. APPROACH REPLIED THAT THE PILOT WAS TOO FAR NORTH FOR COVERAGE, AND TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT THE 4,000-FT LEVEL OF A 4,500-FT HIGH RIDGE/MOUNTAIN, IN AN AREA NEAR WHERE THE MINIMUM ENROUTE ALTITUDE (MEA), OR MINIMUM OBSTRUCTION ALTITUDE (MOCA), CHANGE FROM 10,000 FT TO 7,500 FT SOUTHBOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE DARK NIGHT.

Full Narrative

DURING A WX BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED, PASSES WERE CLOSED, AND THAT TWO PILOT REPORTS INDICATED CLOUDS WERE TO THE GROUND NEAR A PASS. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED ANCHORAGE APPROACH CONTROL STATING HE WAS 73 MI NORTH OF ANCHORAGE, LANDING, AND REQUESTED TRAFFIC SEPARATION AND RADAR VECTORS. APPROACH REPLIED THAT THE PILOT WAS TOO FAR NORTH FOR COVERAGE, AND TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT THE 4,000-FT LEVEL OF A 4,500-FT HIGH RIDGE/MOUNTAIN, IN AN AREA NEAR WHERE THE MINIMUM ENROUTE ALTITUDE (MEA), OR MINIMUM OBSTRUCTION ALTITUDE (MOCA), CHANGE FROM 10,000 FT TO 7,500 FT SOUTHBOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:01 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P206C
Tail NumberN8646Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data