# NTSB ANC95LA121: Cessna 206G, N5371U, Port Alsworth, AK, July 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1995, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 60.200584, -154.279296 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2006&lon=-154.2793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2700/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA121 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. THE CROSSWIND AND PROXIMITY OF TREES WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE FLIGHT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A GRAVEL RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT. AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF IT BEGAN TO DRIFT LEFT. THE PILOT CORRECTED WITH A RIGHT BANK, BUT THE LEFT WING AND LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE TREES. THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST IN THE TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1995, at 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206G airplane, N5371U, operated by the pilot, drifted left of runway centerline during takeoff and crashed into trees on the left side of the runway at Port Alsworth, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Port Alsworth on a VFR flight plan and the destination was Anchorage, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on July 31, 1995, he stated that there was a slight crosswind from the right. As he lifted off the airplane began to drift left. He banked the airplane to the right to correct the drift but the left wing and left main gear struck the trees adjacent to the runway. The airplane veered left and came to rest in the trees next to the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5371U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5371U-2008-07-22), registration cancelled 2008-07-22, S/N U20605252, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 206G - Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20605252 - Airframe hours: 2327 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William M Meaney - Registered owner: James L. Crowder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1994, 30 hours before - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Port Alsworth, runway 23, 3,000 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,280 total, 235 in this make and model, 1,223 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - 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 19950729020189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950729020189A), Jul 29, 1995: Cessna TU206G, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Drifted in crosswind after takeoff and struck trees bordering runway. ## Other investigations on N5371U (2) 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. - [NTSB ANC06LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA017), Jan 18, 2006: Cessna TU206G (N5371U), Cordova, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted an overrun and subsequent collision with an embankment. A factor contributing to the… - [NTSB ANC01LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA096), Jul 30, 2001: Cessna U206 (N5371U), Yakutat, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from high vegetation during the takeoff roll. 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.