Cessna 170B and Cessna 172 mid-air collision near Chugiak, Alaska, April 23, 2006
On April 23, 2006 at about 7:58 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 170B (N4488B) and Cessna 172 (N5049A), were involved in a mid-air collision near Chugiak, Alaska. 5 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 2006 · about 7:58 pm local time
- Place
- Chugiak, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 170B · all 170Bs on the register
- Registration
- N4488B · registry record · serial 26832
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N5049A · no longer on the register · serial 28049
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 170B final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, a Cessna 172, and a Cessna 170B, collided in mid air during cruise flight in day visual flight rules meteorological conditions. The 172, piloted by a solo commercial pilot, was traveling in a west-southwest direction. The 170B, with an airline transport certificated pilot and three passengers, was flying northbound, at an estimated altitude between 1,500 and 2,000 feet. A pilot-rated ground witness said he saw the two airplanes collide. He stated that as the Cessna 172 approached the Cessna 170B's right side, and as their flight paths converged, he heard the 172's engine power increase, and then saw the airplane pitch-up sharply. He said the two airplanes then collided, with the 170B striking the left side of the 172. Both airplanes became momentarily entwined, and then fell vertically to the ground. An examination of the wreckage disclosed impact signatures consistent with the witness's statement, with the 170B displaying black tire rubber deposits on portions of the white paint that covered the left lift strut. Traces of black, tire material were also discovered on portions of the 170B's propeller assembly. The Cessna 172's left main tire and inner tube were slashed longitudinally, consistent with a propeller strike, through to the aluminum wheel hub assembly. No radar coverage existed for the air space near the accident site, and neither pilot was in communication with any air traffic control facility. Toxicological samples were submitted from both pilots, and both tested negative for alcohol or drugs.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172 final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, a Cessna 172, and a Cessna 170B, collided in mid air during cruise flight in day visual flight rules meteorological conditions. The 172, piloted by a solo commercial pilot, was traveling in a west-southwest direction. The 170B, with an airline transport certificated pilot and three passengers, was flying northbound, at an estimated altitude between 1,500 and 2,000 feet. A pilot-rated ground witness said he saw the two airplanes collide. He stated that as the Cessna 172 approached the Cessna 170B's right side, and as their flight paths converged, he heard the 172's engine power increase, and then saw the airplane pitch-up sharply. He said the two airplanes then collided, with the 170B striking the left side of the 172. Both airplanes became momentarily entwined, and then fell vertically to the ground. An examination of the wreckage disclosed impact signatures consistent with the witness's statement, with the 170B displaying black tire rubber deposits on portions of the white paint that covered the left lift strut. Traces of black, tire material were also discovered on portions of the 170B's propeller assembly. The Cessna 172's left main tire and inner tube were slashed longitudinally, consistent with a propeller strike, through to the aluminum wheel hub assembly. No radar coverage existed for the air space near the accident site, and neither pilot was in communication with any air traffic control facility. Toxicological samples were submitted from both pilots, and both tested negative for alcohol or drugs.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 170B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 200 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,812.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PABV Chugiak AK at 2:53 pm
- Destination: PATK Talkeetna AK
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from BCV, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,200 hours in all; 100 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,299 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PABV Chugiak AK
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.