Cessna 206F N8440Q

Summary

On 12 July 2006 at about 00:45 local time, a Cessna 206F registered N8440Q, operated by Marina Air, was involved in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 July 2006 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.9167, -148.8000

Aircraft

Cessna 206F

Registration

N8440Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Marina Air

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Chena Marina

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC06CA088

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in the airplane encountering a severe downdraft during takeoff initial climb, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were a thunderstorm and a downdraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport certificated pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a slough with a float-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. He stated that he aborted the first takeoff attempt due to shifting winds created by local thunderstorms, and elected to takeoff in the opposite direction. Shortly after liftoff, the pilot reported that the airplane encountered a severe downdraft, and descended onto the tundra, striking Alder and Willow bushes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and wing lift struts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.