Cessna 182B accident near King Salmon, Alaska, August 24, 2024
On August 24, 2024 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1959 Cessna 182B, registered N2512G, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near King Salmon, Alaska (Contact Creek Airstrip airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplanes contact with terrain during takeoff which resulted in an inability to gain airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2024 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- King Salmon, Alaska · Contact Creek Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B, built 1959 · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2512G · registry record · serial 51812
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during takeoff from an unimproved gravel airstrip, the left main tire contacted soft dirt and vegetation. The pilot reported that the airplane was unable to accelerate, and it subsequently stalled shortly after becoming airborne, which resulted in an impact with tundra-covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and elevator. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,830 hours in all; 980 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 14,980 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 30, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,352 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 26, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-50 (piston); 4,352 hours total
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,200 ft; a few clouds at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from AII, 37 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAII 240056Z AUTO 27009KT 10SM FEW012 BKN022 OVC036 12/08 A2992 RMK AO2 RAE2357 SLP130 T01170083
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of the airplane where it came to rest.
Photograph 2 – View of the left side of the airplane.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on May 12, 2025. 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, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.