# NTSB ANC95LA144: Cessna 206, N756YJ, Anchorage, AK, August 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1995, 22:00 local (Aug 18, 1995, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159324, -149.990325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1593&lon=-149.9903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTACLES.  THE LOW LIGHT CONDITION AT DUSK WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sand bar
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF FISHING, THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE PREPARING TO DEPART A REMOTE RIVER IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. THE PILOT PERFORMED A STEP TAXI IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF. DUE TO LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS AND SHADOWS, THE PILOT DID NOT SEE A SMALL SANDBAR. THE FLOATS OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE SANDBAR, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On August 17, 1995, about 2200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206, N756YJ, crashed while taxiing for takeoff on the Beluga River, about 32 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated airline transport pilot and 2 passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that at the conclusion of fishing, he was performing a step taxi in preparation for takeoff.  Due to low light conditions and shadows, the pilot did not see a small sandbar.  The floats of the airplane struck the sandbar and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the wings, tail cone, and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N756YJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756YJ-2002-02-20), registration cancelled 2002-02-20, S/N U20604460, built 1978 (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: 4460
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald D. Kakeldey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1995, 8 hours before
- Destination: AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight engineer, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °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 19950817025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950817025689A), Aug 17, 1995: Cessna U206G, Anchorae, AK, Substantial damage. During step taxi turn prior takeoff struck sandbar unseen in poor light. Nosed over. Damaged airframe.

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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