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

September 5, 2003 · Cessna 206 · N206J

Kaktovik, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Kaktovik, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N206J
Operator
Alaska Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC03LA108

The airline transport certificated pilot, with three passengers, was departing from a wet and mud-covered off-airport site on a CFR Part 135 on-demand charter flight. The pilot reported that just after lift-off the left wing stalled, and the airplane settled to the ground. He said that he realized after touchdown he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the site, so he elected to make a hard turn to the left in an attempt to ground loop the airplane. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, the pilot wrote, in part: "It is believed that we lost a cylinder, will confirm when able to do a test." On January 14, 2004, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the accident airplane and engine after the airplane had been recovered from the accident site. The FAA inspector reported that he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a loss of control during initial climb. Factors associated with the accident were wet and muddy runway conditions, and the pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 2003, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N206J, sustained substantial damage when the main landing gear collapsed during an aborted takeoff from a remote off-airport site, about 15 miles southwest of Barter Island, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by MAA, Inc., doing business as Alaska Flyers as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the three passengers, were not injured. According to the pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Barter Island. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 5, at 1615, the pilot reported that just after lift-off from the wet and mud-covered site, the left wing stalled, and the airplane settled to the ground. The pilot said that he realized after touchdown he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the site, and elected to make a hard turn to the left in an attempt to ground loop the airplane. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. During the conversation, the pilot reported weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Wind, calm; visibility, 3 to 4 miles with light snow; temperature, 33 degrees F. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, dated October 3, 2003, the pilot wrote, in part: "It is believed that we lost a cylinder, will confirm when able to do a test." Additionally, the pilot reported that weather conditions at the time of the accident were, in part: Wind, calm; visibility, greater than 10 miles with haze; sky condition and ceiling, 1,500 feet overcast; temperature, 45 degrees F. On January 14, 2004, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Fairbanks, Alaska Flight Standards District Office, examined the accident airplane and engine after it was transported to North Pole, Alaska. The FAA inspector reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN206J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlaska Flyers
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data