AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On March 4, 2000, about 1230 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 208B airplane, N407GV, sustained substantial damage during cruise flight between Holy Cross, Alaska, and Aniak, Alaska. The location of the occurrence was about 18 miles south of Holy Cross, about latitude 61 degrees, 54 minutes north, and longitude 159 degrees, 40 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated as Flight 2602 by Hageland Aviation Services Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Holy Cross airport, about 1215. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, 2000, the director of operations for the company reported the flight was carrying U.S. mail. The pilot was in cruise flight when he heard a bang. After landing at Aniak, damage was discovered to the horizontal stabilizer. The left mud flap, normally positioned at the aft side of the main landing gear tire, was missing. The horizontal stabilizer was dented, and had damage to the auxiliary spar.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The commercial certificated pilot departed on a scheduled flight. During cruise, about fifteen minutes after takeoff, he heard a bang. After landing at the destination airport, damage was discovered to the horizontal stabilizer. The left mud flap, normally positioned at the aft side of the main landing gear tire, was missing. The horizontal stabilizer was dented, and had damage to the auxiliary spar.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

An in-flight separation of a main landing gear tire mud flap, and subsequent impact with the horizontal stabilizer.

END REPORT