N7384U

On June 30, 2002, about 1450 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N7384U, sustained substantial damage when it landed short of the intended runway at the Chevak Airport, Chevak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) nonscheduled domestic cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Flight Alaska Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Newtok Airport, Newtok, Alaska, about 1424.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 1, 2002, the director of operations for the operator reported the pilot was landing on runway 32 at Chevak. The pilot told the director of operations that the airplane encountered a downdraft during the landing approach. The airplane landed short of the gravel runway threshold. The nose landing gear assembly was torn off the airplane, and the left main landing gear was folded aft.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated the weather conditions as clear with light turbulence. He reported the wind was 290 degrees at 8 to 10 knots.

The FAA's Airport Facility Directory/Alaska Supplement for Chevak, lists the runway as a gravel surface, 2,610 feet long by 40 feet wide. The remarks section of the directory states, in part: "Unattended. Caution: Runway condition not monitored. ...Caution: Strong crosswinds at this location. ...Runway is trough shaped, low in center and high at both ends."

Airport personnel at Chevak reported the airplane collided with the lip of the runway at the approach end of runway 32.

The closest official weather observation station is Hooper Bay, Alaska, which is located 16 nautical miles west of the accident site. At 1455, an automated weather observation system (AWOS) was reporting in part: Wind, 300 degrees (true) at 11 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 52 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.88 inHg.