# Accident 20260409003329A: Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, Birchwood, AK, April 9, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 2026, 15:10 local time
- Place: Birchwood, AK
- Airport: Birchwood Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.4200° N, 149.5100° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4200&lon=-149.5100&mi=10
- Aircraft: N394BJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N394BJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU (registry code 05629HD, https://openairdocs.org/model/jeffrey-burnette-avid-flyer-heavy-hau) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 582SER (registry code 55556, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JEFFREY BURNETTE AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 263 total, 140 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC26LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA025) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260409003329A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT WAS PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF FROM 20R AT THE BIRCHWOOD AIRPORT. AS HE TAXIIED ONTO THE RUNWAY, HE ADDED MORE POWER THAN NORMAL, INITIALLY CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO CONTINUE TO TURN TO THE LEFT, DEPARTING THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO USE RIGHT RUDDER TO CORRECT THE TURN, BUT THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT RESPOND. HE FAILED TO USE DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUING OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT THEN APPLIED MAX BRAKING IN ORDER TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT, CAUSING IT TO NOSE OVER AND COME TO REST ON ITS BACK, INVERTED. THE PILOT USED MORE POWER THAN NORMAL, DID NOT USE PROPER BRAKE APPLICATION, AND FAILED TO RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC26LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA025), Apr 9, 2026: Avid Avid Flyer (N394BJ), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering onto the runway for takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the presence of heavy, wet snow adjacent to the runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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