Cessna 182 accident near Northway, Alaska, September 5, 1999
On September 5, 1999, a Cessna 182, registered N3092Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Northway, Alaska (Mcchord Creek airport). It was a personal 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 improper maneuver to avoid obstructions by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were the ruts in the approach end of the airstrip, and tall brush alongside the airstrip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 1999
- Place
- Northway, Alaska · Mcchord Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N3092Y · registry record · serial 182-54092
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo private pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the airplane was in the landing flare when he noticed the touchdown area was washed out. He stated that he did not increase power to land farther down the 2,500 feet long by 60 feet wide gravel airstrip, but offset the airplane to the right, attempting to avoid the ruts. The airplane's right wing contacted alders growing on the edge of the airstrip, which turned the airplane about 45 degrees to the right. The airplane departed the right side of the airstrip, and the right wing sustained damage to the leading edge, leading edge ribs, and wingtip. The pilot added that the winds were calm.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 496 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 459 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ORT AK at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 2,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.