# NTSB ANC06CA088: Cessna 206F, N8440Q, Fairbanks, AK, July 12, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2006, 16:45 local (Jul 12, 2006, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.916664, -148.800003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9167&lon=-148.8000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA088

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in the airplane encountering a severe downdraft during takeoff initial climb, and an in-flight collision with terrain.  Factors associated with the accident were a thunderstorm and a downdraft.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - tundra
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

The airline transport certificated pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a slough with a float-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight.  He stated that he aborted the first takeoff attempt due to shifting winds created by local thunderstorms, and elected to takeoff in the opposite direction.  Shortly after liftoff, the pilot reported that the airplane encountered a severe downdraft, and descended onto the tundra, striking Alder and Willow bushes.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and wing lift struts.

## Factual narrative

The airline transport certificated pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a slough with a float-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight.  He stated he aborted the first takeoff attempt due to shifting winds created by local thunderstorms, and elected to takeoff in the opposite direction.  Shortly after liftoff, the pilot reported the airplane encountered a severe downdraft, and descended onto the tundra, striking Alder and Willow bushes.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and wing lift struts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8440Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8440Q-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N U20603299, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20603299
- Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Marina Air, doing business as Marina Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Louis Gold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: Fairbanks, AK
- Destination: AK28, Chena Marina, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review June 1, 2005; flight hours: 17,322 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 140 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20060712014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060712014059A), Jul 12, 2006: Cessna U206F, Minto Lake, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman stated that there were thunderstorms in the area and as he lifted off he experienced a sudden wind shift from headwind to tailwind and the…

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.

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