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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.

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NTSB Report

May 6, 2009 · Cessna TU206 F · N629SP

Bethel, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bethel, AK
Aircraft
Cessna TU206 F
Tail Number
N629SP
Operator
Alaska Scenic Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC09LA038

The airplane was taking off on the first flight of the day and had accelerated normally during the short field takeoff roll. During entry into the initial climb, the airplane suddenly rolled into an uncommanded left bank and entered an uncontrolled descent. The left wingtip struck terrain to the left of the runway approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll. The airplane came to rest upright approximately 200 feet from the initial impact point. During the impact sequence the unsecured cargo shifted forward and struck the back of the pilot’s seat and the right side of the instrument panel. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted. Photos taken 5 minutes after the accident show the leading edges and tops of the wings, and horizontal tail surfaces were covered in rough frost. The photos also show the frost appears to have been scraped off of most of the windshield. There was substantial damage to the left wing, nose gear, firewall, forward empennage, and both wingtips.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to remove visible frost from the wings during the preflight inspection, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid a stall. Contributing to the accident were conditions conducive to structural icing/frost.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 2009, at 0903 Alaska daylight time, a single engine Cessna TU206F airplane, N629SP, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during takeoff at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Scenic Air LLC, Eagle River, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand cargo flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The solo commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight was en route to Kasigluk, Alaska. The airplane was taking off on the first flight of the day and had accelerated normally during the short field takeoff roll. During entry into the initial climb, the airplane suddenly rolled into an uncommanded left bank and entered an uncontrolled descent. The left wingtip struck terrain to the left of the runway approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll. The airplane came to rest upright approximately 200 feet from the initial impact point. During the impact sequence the unsecured cargo shifted forward and struck the back of the pilot’s seat and the right side of the instrument panel. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted. Photos taken 5 minutes after the accident show the leading edges and tops of the wings, and horizontal tail surfaces were covered in rough frost. The photos also show the frost appears to have been scraped off of most of the windshield. An FAA inspector, who responded to the scene, said the nose gear collapsed and there was structural damage to the firewall, forward empennage, and both wingtips. The left wing had a significant buckle at wing station 100, causing the outboard leading edge skin to open up and the inboard inner spar skin to buckle downward. At 0853, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Bethel, Alaska, reported wind from 330 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 700 feet, temperature 27 degrees, dew point 23 degrees, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:03 AKDT
Nearest AirportBethel Airport (1nm)
Runway29
Runway Length1860 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TU206 F
Tail NumberN629SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlaska Scenic Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 23 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data