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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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NTSB Report

September 6, 1987 · Cessna U206E · N9407G

Harding Glacier, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Harding Glacier, AK
Aircraft
Cessna U206E
Tail Number
N9407G
Operator
Paul R Persano
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC87FA146

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS NON-PILOT ADULT MALE PASSENGER WERE FLYING FROM MODESTO, CA, TO SOLDOTNA, AK, FOR A HUNTING TRIP. THE PILOT, WHO HAD APPROXIMATELY 164 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND WHO HAD NO PRIOR FLYING EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA, WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY OVER A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A MOUNTAIN GLACIER AT THE 5600' LEVEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE REPORTEDLY LESS THAN VFR, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE, RAIN, AND CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT'S FORMER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD REPORTEDLY ADVISED HIM NOT TO UNDERTAKE THE FLIGHT DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN ALASKA.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS NON-PILOT ADULT MALE PASSENGER WERE FLYING FROM MODESTO, CA, TO SOLDOTNA, AK, FOR A HUNTING TRIP. THE PILOT, WHO HAD APPROXIMATELY 164 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND WHO HAD NO PRIOR FLYING EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA, WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY OVER A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A MOUNTAIN GLACIER AT THE 5600' LEVEL. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE REPORTEDLY LESS THAN VFR, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE, RAIN, AND CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT'S FORMER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD REPORTEDLY ADVISED HIM NOT TO UNDERTAKE THE FLIGHT DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN ALASKA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna U206E
Tail NumberN9407G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul R Persano
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-F · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data