Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Port Alsworth, Alaska 99653
Monday, September 2, 1996 15:30 AKD

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot stated the passenger talked him into flying up a canyon, which appeared to be a pass at the time they entered. Once inside the canyon, the pilot realized there was insufficient room to complete a 180 degree turn. He applied full power and attempted to climb straight ahead. After reaching about 2,800 feet above sea level, the airplane's floats struck the ground. The airplane slide approximately 15 feet, then nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in intering a box canyon with insufficient altitude to either execute a turn to safety or outclimb rising terrain. A factor associated with the accident was: the pilot allowed the passenger to influence him to enter the canyon.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/2/1996
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 1530
Event Time Zone --
Event City PORT ALSWORTH
Event State ALASKA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 99653
Event Date Year 1996
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 20
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 16
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 0
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 1823
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Sep 2 1996 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1700
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 8 2000 10:20AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N733KD
NTSB Number ANC96LA135
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Type of Flight Plan filed Company VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 206
Aircraft Series Identifier 206
Aircraft Serial Number 04772
Certified Max Gross Weight 3600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection Aug 13 1996 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 73
Airframe Hours 7745
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name GLEN R. ALSWORTH
Aircraft Owner Street Address THE FARM LODGE
Aircraft Owner City PORT ALSWORTH
Aircraft Owner State AK
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 99653
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name LAKE CLARK AIR
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address BOX 1
Operator City PORT ALSWORTH
Operator State AK
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 99653
Operator Code HXXC
Owner has at least one certificate Yes - certificate holder
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not Non-scheduled
Indicates Domestic or International Flight Domestic
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail Passenger Only
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Unknown
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code
Departure City
Departure State AK
Departure Country
Departure Time 1517
Departure Time Zone ADT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code
Destination City LAKE TAZIMINA
Destination State AK
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Maneuvering
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:34AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 0
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --