Cessna 172 accident near Sheldon Point, Alaska, July 29, 1999
On July 29, 1999 at about 2:00 am local time, a Cessna 172, registered N79169, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sheldon Point, Alaska (Sheldon Point airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind, and wind gusts.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 1999 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Sheldon Point, Alaska · Sheldon Point · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N79169 · registry record · serial 172-57932
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo airline transport pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff in a gusty, 90 degree left crosswind. He estimated the wind velocity as 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots. During the takeoff roll, he said a gust of wind lifted the left wing, and forced the airplane to the right, off the runway, and down an embankment, where it nosed over. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,232 hours in all; 750 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 79 in the last 30 days; 2,101 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,952 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 14, 1999; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Grant Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: ENM Emmonak AK at 8:35 pm
- Runway 20, 2,060 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.