# NTSB ANC85LA174: Cessna C-206, N9963M, Big River, AK, September 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1985, 16:45 local (Sep 10, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Big River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAXI THROUGH SHALLOW WATER TO REACH THE TAKEOFF POINT. AS THE AIRPLANE'S FLOATS CAME UP ON STEP A GUST OF WIND FROM THE LEFT REAR CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO WEATHER VANCE AND STRUCK THE STREAMS BANK. THE STREAM WAS VERY NARROW AND THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9963M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-206
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20604613
- Airframe hours: 238
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Iliaska Lodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BIG RIVER, AK
- Destination: ILI, ILIAMNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,214 total, 775 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850909047199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850909047199A), Sep 9, 1985: Cessna U206G, Big River, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control while step taxiing in narrow River. Struck bank. Wind a factor.

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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