# NTSB ANC24LA046: Cessna 206, N8795Q, Fairbanks, AK, June 8, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2024, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK · Blair Lake south of Salcha
- Coordinates: 64.352159, -147.3585
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3522&lon=-147.3585&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 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): 194427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194427/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194427
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA046

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot departed with a quartering headwind which ranged from calm to gusting. Shortly after rotation the pilot reported encountering a gust of wind that pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite aileron and rudder; however, the airplane impacted the trees along the left side of the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8795Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8795Q), registered now, S/N U20603547, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20603547
- Year built: 1976
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 135
- Operator: Wright Air Service Inc
- Registered owner: Wright Air Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 2AK1, Fairbanks, AK
- Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2AK1, Blair Lake, runway 31, 1,500 × 300 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,150 total, 685 in this make and model, 5,045 as pilot in command, 325 in the last 90 days, 115 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: EIL, 21 nm away
- METAR: PAEI 082155Z AUTO 12019G25KT 10SM CLR 26/M01 A2985 RMK AO2 PK WND 12026/21 SLP111 T02621008 $

## 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 20240608010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240608010029A), Jun 8, 2024: Cessna U206G, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. First takeoff was aborted due to soft patches on the runway During the second takeoff from this remote dirt airstrip, the pilot rotated and started climbing…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194427. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17280010&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA046%20Operator%206120%20%20copy_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17292341&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA046%20Investigative%20Photographs-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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