They Turned Back Towards The Airplane And Saw It Abruptly Bank Hard To The Right And The Right Wing Subsequently Impacted The Water

Location: Chalkyitsik, AK Accident Number: ANC24FA102
Date & Time: September 24, 2024, 14:45 Local Registration: N8255Q
Aircraft: Cessna 206 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

On September 24, 2024, about 1445 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N8255Q, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Chalkyitsik, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight.

The accident airplane, owned and operated by Kavik Aviation Services LLC, had departed from Circle City, Alaska and reportedly was transporting fuel to another airplane at a remote location. According to witnesses at the accident site, after the airplane landed at the remote gravel bar adjacent to the Porcupine River, the pilot loaded fuel containers into the airplane cargo area, and she added fuel to the accident airplane’s fuel tank.

After the pilot finished refueling, witnesses reported that the airplane departed to the northwest, and just after takeoff, they heard the engine “sputtering” they turned back towards the airplane and saw it abruptly bank hard to the right and the right wing subsequently impacted the water. The airplane cartwheeled into the river, spinning about 270° before becoming partially submerged.

The airplane wreckage was recovered to Wasilla, Alaska, and a detailed wreckage examination is pending. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov