CESSNA 207 near Dillingham, AK — 2008-09-12

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather and runway conditions, and his improper decision to depart downwind, on a wet gravel runway, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain after takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were a tailwind, and an uphill grade of the wet, gravel-covered runway.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was departing to the west, and uphill, from a private 2,400 foot-long, wet, rough and uneven gravel airstrip, with six passengers and baggage during an on-demand charter flight. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he reported that at the time of the accident the airplane's gross weight was 10 pounds under the maximum gross weight. He wrote that during the takeoff roll, the wind suddenly switched to a tailwind, and the airplane failed to climb after it initially became airborne. He said that the airplane settled into an area of tundra-covered terrain about 100 yards west of the runway threshold, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. At the time of the accident the closest weather observation facility, about 2 miles southeast of the accident site, was reporting winds as 090 degrees at 9 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.

NTSB coding

• Collision during takeoff/land · Takeoff
• Decision Making / Judgment

Related mishaps

• RYAN NAVION

  2026-06-23 · Bismarck, MO

• CESSNA 150L

  2026-03-01 · Okeechobee, FL

• CESSNA 172L

  2026-02-28 · Bennettsville, SC

• BEECH C90

  2026-02-14 · Guymon, OK

• Kitfox Series 7

  2026-01-19 · Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, NV

• DE HAVILLAND DH82

  2025-09-27 · Harvard, IL