Cessna A185F accident near Dillingham, Alaska, June 28, 2021
On June 28, 2021 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1976 Cessna A185F, registered N8216J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Dillingham, Alaska (Nushagak airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2021 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Dillingham, Alaska · Nushagak · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F, built 1976 · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N8216J · registry record · serial 18502864
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, just after takeoff from the narrow brush lined airstrip, he encountered a wind gust which pushed the airplane to the left. The left wing struck the brush and the airplane spun around and impacted terrain sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,907 hours in all; 1,267 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 39 in the last 30 days; 1,826 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 7, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 15, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 D (piston); 850 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Portage Creek AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16/3, 1,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from PAJZ, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAJZ 280056Z AUTO 17003KT 6SM HZ OVC037 14/08 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP243 T01390078 PNO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 12, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo (Source Unknown) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.