Cessna U206 accident near Barter Island, Alaska, August 16, 2018
On August 16, 2018 at about 1:09 am local time, a 1973 Cessna U206, registered N206JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Barter Island, Alaska (Barter Island airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while taxiing in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2018 · about 1:09 am local time
- Place
- Barter Island, Alaska · Barter Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna U206 F, built 1973 · all U206s on the register
- Registration
- N206JM · registry record · serial U20602195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while turning left from the runway onto a taxiway, a wind gust lifted the right wing and that the airplane then flipped over and came to rest off the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 35 knots, gusting to 44 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25.
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
- Other weather encounter during taxi (from runway)
- Loss of control on ground during taxi (from runway) defining event
- Roll over during taxi
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,505.5 hours in all; 305.1 in this make and model; 261.1 in the last 90 days; 127.5 in the last 30 days; 557.5 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 5, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,317.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 7, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO 550-F35B (piston); 379 hours total
- Operator: Ground Imaging Inc
The flight
- Departed from: SCC Deadhorse AK
- Destination: BTI Barter Island AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 4,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 35 knots, gusting 44
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.42 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on April 1, 2019. 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, 9 pages | 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.