# NTSB ANC98LA107: Cessna 206G, N121W, Yakutat, AK, July 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1998, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Yakutat, AK - Coordinates: 59.510005, -139.709533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5100&lon=-139.7095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and a premature lift-off. A factor associated with the accident is a sudden windshift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot and two passengers were departing from a small lake. The main area of the lake was about 1,800 to 2,000 feet long, and about 200 feet wide. Several small fingers extended out from the main area of the lake. The pilot began a step taxi from one finger of the lake into the main area of the lake to gain momentum for departure. The wind was coming from the right rear of the airplane. During a right step turn to begin the takeoff run, the airplane encountered a headwind. The airplane lifted off the water prematurely, and climbed to about 10 feet. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and forced the airplane back onto the surface of the lake. There was not enough remaining lake area to complete a turn, and the airplane collided with the shore. The airplane received damage to the floats, the main gear attach points, the wings, and the propeller. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1998, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a turbine powered, amphibious float equipped Cessna 206G airplane, N121W, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from a remote lake, about 49 miles east of Yakutat, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The certificated airline transport pilot, and one passenger were not injured. A second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 24, 1998, at 0950, the pilot reported the small lake he was using for departure, had an open area of water that was about 1,800 to 2,000 feet long, and about 200 feet wide. Several small fingers extended out from the main area of the lake. The pilot said he began a step taxi from one finger of the lake into the main area of the lake to gain momentum for departure. The wind was coming from the right rear of the airplane. During a right step turn to begin the takeoff run, the airplane encountered a headwind. The airplane lifted off the water prematurely, and climbed to about 10 feet. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and forced the airplane back onto the surface of the lake. The pilot said there was not enough remaining lake area to complete a turn, and the airplane collided with the shore. The airplane received damage to the floats, the main gear attach points, the wings, and the propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121W-2000-11-24), registration cancelled 2000-11-24, S/N U20606227 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 206G - Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20606227 - Airframe hours: 1768 - Engines: Allison C20-250-B 420 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeff A. Brevelle - Registered owner: Dale Hart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1997, 40 hours before - Destination: YAK, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,700 total, 80 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °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 19980723016979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980723016979A), Jul 23, 1998: Cessna TU206G, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on departure under unkn cicumstancess, anchorake, AK. (-23) see attachment. No narrative attached. (.4) the pilot and two passengers were… 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.