Cessna U206F accident near Chugiak, Alaska, February 14, 2023
On February 14, 2023, a 1972 Cessna U206F, registered N9572G, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Chugiak, Alaska (Birchwood Airport). It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 2 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 flat light conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a snow berm.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 14, 2023
- Place
- Chugiak, Alaska · Birchwood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206F, built 1972 · all U206Fs on the register
- Registration
- N9572G · registry record · serial U20601772
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the runway had about 12 inches of new snow and the runway edge lights were not visible. During the takeoff run, in flat light conditions, he was unable to determine the centerline of the runway, and the airplane subsequently drifted left of centerline. The left main landing gear impacted a snow berm along the edge of the runway and the airplane spun around 90°, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. 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
- Ground collision during takeoff
- Loss of visual reference during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Effect on personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Flat light › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 17,120 hours in all; 7,700 in this make and model; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,726.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 30, 2022; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO520F (piston); 1,415 hours total
The flight
- Destination: MCG Mcgrath AK
- Runway 02L, 4,012 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 14°F (-10°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from PABV
Weather report (METAR): PABV 132356Z AUTO 02004KT 9SM -SN OVC070 M10/M13 A2997 RMK AO2 SNB37 SLP156 P0000 60001 T11001128 11089 21117 55001 FZRANO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 6, 2023. 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 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | 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.