# NTSB ANC23LA022: Cessna U206F, N9572G, Chugiak, AK, February 14, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 13, 2023, 15:00 local (Feb 14, 2023, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK · Runway
- Coordinates: 61.414737, -149.50909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4147&lon=-149.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106736/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106736
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA022

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in flat light conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a snow berm.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the runway had about 12 inches of new snow and the runway edge lights were not visible. During the takeoff run, in flat light conditions, he was unable to determine the centerline of the runway, and the airplane subsequently drifted left of centerline. The left main landing gear impacted a snow berm along the edge of the runway and the airplane spun around 90°, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9572G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9572G), registered now, S/N U20601772, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- 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: U20601772
- Year built: 1972
- Airframe hours: 9726.6
- Engines: Continental IO520F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 2022, 18 hours before
- Destination: MCG, Mcgrath, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: BCV, Birchwood Airport, runway 02L, 4,012 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,120 total, 7,700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: PABV
- METAR: PABV 132356Z AUTO 02004KT 9SM -SN OVC070 M10/M13 A2997 RMK AO2 SNB37 SLP156 P0000 60001 T11001128 11089 21117 55001 FZRANO

## 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 20230213001229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230213001229A), Feb 13, 2023: Cessna U206F, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a takeoff on an unplowed runway with what he estimated to be 10-12 inches of fresh snow. The runway had known snow berms on the edges which…

## Other investigations on N9572G (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 ANC27LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC27LA001), Oct 1, 2026: Cessna U206F (N9572G), Meadow Lakes, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106736. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15182009&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA022%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15181222&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA022%20Investigative%20photographs-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15182139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA022%20Wreckage%20release_Redacted-Rel.pdf

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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