Cessna 206 accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, June 8, 2024
On June 8, 2024 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 206, registered N8795Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Fairbanks, Alaska (Blair Lake airport). It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2024 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Blair Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 206, built 1976 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N8795Q · registry record · serial U20603547
- 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 departed with a quartering headwind which ranged from calm to gusting. Shortly after rotation the pilot reported encountering a gust of wind that pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite aileron and rudder; however, the airplane impacted the trees along the left side of the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,150 hours in all; 685 in this make and model; 325 in the last 90 days; 115 in the last 30 days; 5,045 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 29, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Wright Air Service Inc
The flight
- Departed from: 2AK1 Fairbanks AK at 9:35 pm
- Destination: PAFA Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 31, 1,500 ft by 300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from EIL, 21 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAEI 082155Z AUTO 12019G25KT 10SM CLR 26/M01 A2985 RMK AO2 PK WND 12026/21 SLP111 T02621008 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC24LA046.