Amateur-built AVID FLYER accident near Anchorage, Alaska, April 9, 2026
On April 9, 2026 at about 11:10 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built AVID FLYER, registered N394BJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (into takeoff position) near Anchorage, Alaska (Birchwood Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 while maneuvering onto the runway for takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the presence of heavy, wet snow adjacent to the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2026 · about 11:10 pm local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Birchwood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER Heavy Haul, built 2013
- Registration
- N394BJ · registry record · serial 359
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while maneuvering onto the runway for takeoff in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the application of engine power during the turn resulted in the airplane overshooting the runway centerline. The pilot applied right rudder in an attempt to regain alignment; however, directional control was not maintained, and the airplane departed the runway surface. The main landing gear subsequently contacted an area of heavy, wet snow adjacent to the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The nose-over resulted in substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported 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
- Nose over/nose down during taxi (into takeoff position) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 263 hours in all; 140 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 210 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 22, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 841 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 2, 2025; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 852 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20R, 4,012 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from PABV
Weather report (METAR): PABV 092256Z AUTO 27004KT 10SM CLR 07/M02 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP225 T00671017 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Image of accident airplane at accident site
Photograph 2 – Image of left wing lift strutThe 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 September 11, 2026. 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, 10 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.