# NTSB ANC95LA108: Cessna 206, N756SN, King Salmon, AK, July 19, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1995, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750007, -156.539123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7500&lon=-156.5391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA108

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ALIGN HIS TAKEOFF PATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A LAKE. THE NORMAL TAKEOFF PROCEDURE WAS TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOUTH OF THE KULIK RIVER. THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE WITH A PROTRUSION OF LAND ON THE SHORELINE LEFT OF THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER. HE THOUGHT THE PROTRUSION WAS THE ISLAND. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT IT WAS THE SHORELINE, HE ATTEMPTED A RIGHT STEP TURN AND TRIED TO LIFT THE LEFT FLOAT OUT OF THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT IT STRUCK SOME TREES. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO CLOSE TO SHORE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Factual narrative

On July 19, 1995, at 0730 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206, N756SN, registered to Katmailand Inc., and operated by Kulik Lodge, crashed into trees during takeoff from the Kulik Lodge located on Nonvianuk Lake, 53 nautical miles northeast of King Salmon, Alaska.  The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of fish guiding, was departing Kulik Lodge and the destination was the mouth of the Alagnak River.  A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The airline transport certificated pilot and the five passengers were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the owner, when the wind is from the east they takeoff toward the mouth of the Kulik river which connects Nonvianuk and Kulik Lakes.  The pilot stated he aligned the airplane's takeoff path with the island which is located in the middle of the mouth of the river.  During the takeoff run he realized that he aligned the takeoff path with a protrusion of land from the shoreline left of the river's mouth.  He attempted a step turn to the right and tried to raise the left float out of the water.  The airplane became airborne and then struck the trees and crashed into the river.  The pilot stated the airplane was too close to the shore to abort the takeoff.

The pilot stated there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N756SN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20604321
- Airframe hours: 5570
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F13 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Katmailand Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1995, 36 hours before
- Departed: LKK, KULIK LAKE, AK
- Destination: ALAGNAK RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,649 total, 95 in this make and model, 4,615 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19950719024469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950719024469A), Jul 19, 1995: Cessna U206G, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Improperly aligned to miss shore on water takeoff. Struck trees and crashed into river. Unable make step turn.

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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