N6299H

On April 3, 1997, about 1645 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207, N6299H, crashed during landing at Teller Airport, Teller, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Olson Air Service Inc., Nome, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and 5 passengers were not injured. One passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Nome Airport at 1557.

In the pilot/operator report submitted by the operator, the pilot reported he intended to land on runway 7 at Teller. A village agent reported the surface wind conditions as 15 knots from the south. The pilot observed blowing snow across the runway surface, and estimated the wind as between 30 and 35 knots. He also indicated that downdraft conditions existed at the airport. The pilot decided to continue the landing approach, and indicated he was prepared to abort the landing if he was unable to maintain alignment with the runway. About 1/2 mile from the threshold of the runway, the pilot selected 20 degrees of flap, lowered the right wing, and began to maintain runway alignment by application of rudder. He indicated the crosswind necessitated nearly all of the available rudder travel.

About 25 feet above the ground, the pilot reported he applied full power to counteract an increasing sink rate. The rudder was already deflected to full travel, and the pilot decided to go-around. He raised the nose of the airplane and retracted the flaps, first to a flap up position, and then to a 10 degree setting. The airplane continued to descend, and touched down to the left of the runway centerline, about 800 feet beyond the landing threshold. The surface of the runway was rutted from previously melted snow and ice. The airplane departed off the left edge of the runway, and the nose wheel dug into soft snow. The airplane then nosed over.

The pilot indicated the weather conditions at the airport were 900 feet scattered; visibility, 6 miles; wind; 190 degrees at 30 knots, gust to 35 knots; temperature, 30 degrees F.