Cessna 207A accident near Kongiganak, Alaska, August 23, 2008
On August 23, 2008 at about 2:15 am local time, a Cessna 207A, registered N17GN, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kongiganak, Alaska (Kongiganak airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff on a short, wet runway with a heavily loaded airplane, and his failure to abort the takeoff before it became impracticable.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 23, 2008 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Kongiganak, Alaska · Kongiganak · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 207A · all 207As on the register
- Registration
- N17GN · registry record · serial 20700693
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a short, wet runway with five passengers, and baggage when the accident occurred. He stated that the heavily loaded airplane didn't seem to accelerate as fast as it should have, and slowed down each time it encountered one of the numerous pools of water on the runway. He said the airplane became airborne about 3/4 down the runway, but would not climb. He realized the airplane was going to collide with the tundra, and added more flaps as the airplane passed over the end of the runway, and pulled back on the elevator control to minimize the impact. The pilot stated that he didn't think the engine was developing full power, although he had no problems with it during previous flights that day. He also noted that he was uncertain as to the actual weight of the airplane at takeoff, but said it was at or below the allowable gross weight. A review of the operator's maintenance records for the accident airplane disclosed no recent mechanical problems or pilot complaints about the engine's performance. An FAA inspector inspected the accident engine postaccident and monitored it during a test run at the operator's facilities. The inspector found no anomalies with the engine, and stated that it developed full rated rpm during the test run. A witness to the accident said the airplane appeared to be heavily loaded with bags and people, and that it slowed significantly each time it hit a puddle of water.
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
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Takeoff distance › Capability exceeded
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › Wet › Decision related to condition
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › Wet › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,056 hours in all; 176 in this make and model; 376 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 3, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 21,805 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, August 5, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hageland Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: PADY Kongiganak AK at 9:15 pm
- Destination: PABE Bethel AK
- Runway 36, 1,885 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from PAKI, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 3 |
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.