Cessna 172N accident near Atmautluak, Alaska, February 7, 2009
On February 7, 2009 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N5246D, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Atmautluak, Alaska (Atmautulak airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight calculations; and his operation of the airplane over the allowable gross weight limit.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 7, 2009 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Atmautluak, Alaska · Atmautulak · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5246D · registry record · serial 17272468
- 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 on an on-demand air taxi flight with three passengers and their baggage. He stated that he was approaching a remote airport to land on Runway 15 when the wind shifted and he encountered wind gusts that made the airplane difficult to control. He said that he added full power to go around, but that the airplane would not climb, stalled, and then descended to the ground short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors found no mechanical problems with the airplane and determined that it was being operated at least 166 pounds over the maximum gross weight limit. Operating an airplane over the certificated gross weight is prohibited and markedly reduces its performance capabilities.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › (general) › (general) › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Crew member
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,705 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 144 in the last 90 days; 59 in the last 30 days; 1,588 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 28, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,614 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 6, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jp Air
The flight
- Departed from: PABE Bethel AK at 12:40 pm
- Destination: Atmautluak AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 10°F (-12°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.