Cessna U206G accident near Igiugig, Alaska, August 20, 2008
On August 20, 2008 at about 2:15 am local time, a Cessna U206G, registered N4773U, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Igiugig, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudged speed and distance during takeoff, which resulted in the float-equipped airplane colliding with a bank.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2008 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Igiugig, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206G · all U206Gs on the register
- Registration
- N4773U · registry record · serial 05094
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was shuttling fisherman between lakes in the float-equipped airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he planned to shuttle two passengers at a time, but felt the wind was sufficient to take four. He said that during the takeoff roll the wind went calm, and that the glassy water extended his run farther than expected. The pilot said he felt there was not enough lake left to stop the airplane before colliding with the bank if he aborted the takeoff, and decided to continue the takeoff. He said the airplane lifted off the lake about 20 inches, and collided with the bank. The pilot said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the airplane sustained fuselage damage during the accident.
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 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,100 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 332 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,187 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-F-9 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Igiugig AK
- Destination: AKN King Salmon AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N4773U the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.