# NTSB ANC26LA025: Avid Avid Flyer, N394BJ, Anchorage, AK, April 9, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 9, 2026, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.42, -149.51 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4200&lon=-149.5100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC26LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202791/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202791 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA025 ## 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. ## 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: [Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05629HD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05629HD), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05629HD), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05629HD), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while maneuvering onto the runway for takeoff in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the application of engine power during the turn resulted in the airplane overshooting the runway centerline. The pilot applied right rudder in an attempt to regain alignment; however, directional control was not maintained, and the airplane departed the runway surface. The main landing gear subsequently contacted an area of heavy, wet snow adjacent to the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The nose-over resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N394BJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N394BJ), registered now, S/N 359 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVID AVID FLYER (Heavy Hauler) - Registry model: [Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU](https://openairdocs.org/model/jeffrey-burnette-avid-flyer-heavy-hau) (registry code 05629HD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 359 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 841 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 2, 2025, 11 hours before - Airport: BCV, Birchwood Airport, runway 20R, 4,012 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 263 total, 140 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: PABV - METAR: PABV 092256Z AUTO 27004KT 10SM CLR 07/M02 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP225 T00671017 $ ## 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 20260409003329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260409003329A), Apr 9, 2026: Jeffrey Burnette AVID FLYER/HEAVY HAU, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202791. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20286098&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC26LA025%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20460853&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC26LA025%20Photos-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.