# NTSB ANC94LA099: Cessna 206, N5120X, King Salmon, AK, August 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1994, 16:45 local (Aug 6, 1994, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750801, -156.539291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7508&lon=-156.5393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE AVAILABLE LONGER PORTION OF THE LAKE FOR THE TAKEOFF RUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command
- Nose over, takeoff
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT, CONDUCTING FISH GUIDING OPERATIONS UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ACROSS THE SHORT PART OF THE LAKE INTO AN 8 KNOT HEADWIND.  THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BUT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE WATER BEYOND THE POINT OF NO RETURN.  THE FLOATS STRUCK THE SHORELINE AND THEY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO THE BANK.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1994, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N5120X, registered to and operated by John (Jack) Holman of No See Um Lodge, King Salmon, Alaska, and piloted by Mark Kniprath of Sterling, Alaska, struck the shoreline of Crosswind Lake, located 60 miles northeast of King Salmon, during the takeoff run.  The business flight, conducting fish guiding operations under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the Lake and the destination was the Lodge located on the Kvichak River.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The Commercial Certificated Pilot and the three passengers were not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage.

According to the pilot, he was taking off to the southeast into an estimated 8 knot head wind.  The takeoff direction was across the short part of the lake.  The airplane became airborne and then settled back onto the water after it passed the point of no return.  The airplane struck the shoreline, ripped the floats off and nosed over onto the bank.

The owner was sent an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 and he returned it with a note stating the pilot could not complete it because he was out of town.  The owner did not provide any airplane information on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5120X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5120X), registered now, S/N U20605572, built 1980 (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: U20605572
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: No See Um Lodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: KVICHAK RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19940805020399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940805020399A), Aug 5, 1994: Cessna U206G, Crosswind Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Lifted on water takeoff then settled back onto water at point no return. Struck shore. Ripped off floats. Nosed over

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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