Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

January 27, 1996 · Cessna 206 · N5293X

Kotzebue, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kotzebue, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N5293X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96LA025

The pilot said that while taxiing from landing, as he was making a right turn into the ramp area, the wind lifted the right wing causing the left wing and propeller to strike the ground. The taxi surface was hard-packed snow and ice, and braking action was poor. The 1251 wind was reported as 35 knots with gusts to 41. The Director of Operations (D.O.) stated that the flight went through the normal flight following/dispatch procedures. The D.O. said there were no written company standards addressed when flights should be cancelled due to excessive surface wind velocity. In addition, the D.O. indicated that the primary responsibility for determining if the winds/weather were suitable for the flight to be conducted rested with the pilot-in-command.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's poor judgment in conducting the flight in the existing high gusting wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the operator allowing/dispatching the accident flight in the prevailing weather conditions, and the icy ramp/taxi area.

Full Narrative

On January 27, 1996, about 1230 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206, N5293X, experienced an upset while taxiing at the Ralph Wein Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross- country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by Baker Aviation Inc., Kotzebue, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Noorvik airport, Noorvik, Alaska, at 1209. The operator reported that after landing on runway 08, the pilot exited the runway at the east end and was taxiing to the company ramp. The taxiway surface was hard-packed snow and ice. Braking action was poor. While making the turn into the ramp area, gusty winds tipped the right wing of the airplane upwards. The left wing and propeller contacted the taxiway surface, wrinkling the outboard end of the wing and damaging the propeller tips. A 1251 surface weather observation at Kotzebue was reporting in part: Sky condition and ceiling, 10,000 feet scattered, 20,000 feet thin broken clouds; visibility, 3 miles in blowing snow; temperature, 4 degrees F; dew point -1 degrees F; wind, 110 degrees at 35 knots, gusts to 41 knots; altimeter, 30.07 inHg. A telephone conversation with the Director of Operations (D.O.) on March 27, disclosed that the accident flight went through the normal flight following/dispatch procedures. The D.O. indicated that the primary responsibility for determining if the winds/weather were suitable for the flight to be conducted rested with the pilot-in-command. The D.O. said when the flight was conducted, there were no written company standards which addressed when flights should be cancelled due to excessive surface wind velocity. The D.O. also said that several earlier flights that day had been cancelled due to high winds and associated turbulence, and that the only way that the accident flight could have been prevented was "...for the pilot not to have been there."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 AKST
Nearest AirportRalph Wein Memorial (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN5293X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 35 kt, gusting 41 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point3 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data