Event ANC05LA015

Factual narrative

On November 19, 2004, at 1431 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna U206F airplane, N9644G, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during taxi from landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Katmai Air LLC, Anchorage, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Napaskiak Airport about 1420. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 20, the director of operations for the operator reported that the pilot landed on runway 11 at the conclusion of the positioning flight. The pilot exited the runway by turning left at taxiway E and then proceeded toward the ramp area of the airport. The director of operations said that as the pilot turned the airplane toward the parking area, a right quartering tailwind lifted the tail of the airplane, and the pilot was unable to prevent the airplane from nosing over. The airplane received damage to the left wing, the left wing strut, and the vertical stabilizer. At 1430, a special weather observation at the Bethel Airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 160 degrees (true) at 26 knots, gusts to 35 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 2,800 feet broken, 3,600 feet broken, 4,600 feet overcast; temperature, 37 degrees F; dew point, 31 degrees F; altimeter, 29.07 inHg; remarks, peak wind at 1423, 140 degrees (true) at 35 knots. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6102.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated that his source of weather information was the Bethel Automated Terminal Information System (ATIS), and a "wind check" with Bethel's air traffic control tower. The pilot reported that the wind was 130 degrees (magnetic) at 22 knots, gusts to 27 knots. At the conclusion of the positioning flight, the airline transport certificated pilot exited the runway at a taxiway, and proceeded toward the ramp area of the airport. As he turned the airplane toward the parking area, a right quartering tailwind lifted the tail of the airplane, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the left wing, the left wing strut, and the vertical stabilizer. A special weather observation at the airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 160 degrees (true) at 26 knots, gusts to 35 knots. The pilot indicated that his source of weather information was the Automated Terminal Information System (ATIS), and a "wind check" with the air traffic control tower. The pilot reported that the wind was 130 degrees (magnetic) at 22 knots, gusts to 27 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12