NTSB Factual Report

On August 13, 2001, about 1154 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N562CT, operated by Grant Aviation, Bethel, Alaska, as scheduled commuter Flight 2202, under 14 CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from the Akiachak Airport, Akiachak, Alaska. The commercial pilot and the six passengers reported no injuries. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a company flight plan was in effect. The flight departed Bethel about 1110, and Akiachak was an intermediate stop prior to returning to Bethel.

According to witnesses and passengers, the pilot began the takeoff on runway 29, after a back-taxi to use the full length of the 1,625 feet long gravel runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off the runway two times, and each time settled onto the runway. At the end of the runway, the airplane lifted off again, bounced hard on the tundra, and continued to fly a short distance before coming to rest, about 1,300 feet from the departure end of runway 29. The witnesses and passengers all noted that the engine appeared to be operating normally at a high power setting. Four ground witnesses said the airplane took off downwind, and estimated the wind to be about 10 miles per hour.

An Alaska State Trooper/pilot flew his airplane to Akiachak to ascertain if there had been injury or loss of life. He stated to the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 14, that he landed on runway 11 about 20 minutes after the accident. He said he estimated the wind to be approximately from 135 degrees magnetic, at 10 to 12 knots. He said he interviewed another air taxi pilot who landed immediately after the accident. According to the trooper, the air taxi pilot saw the accident airplane taxi to the end of runway 29, and then start a takeoff roll downwind. The trooper stated he talked with the accident pilot, and asked the pilot how he determined the wind direction. The pilot reportedly said he looked at the wind sock from the ramp area prior to departure. At the time of the interview with the pilot, the trooper and the pilot were at the ramp area. The trooper said the wind sock is not visible from the ramp due to high willows and brush. The trooper also said he interviewed four other witnesses, and they all indicated the engine sounded like it was operating at a high power setting, and that the airplane's takeoff run was downwind. According to the trooper, he looked at the airplane's logbooks and associated paperwork. He said he could find no current weight and balance calculations by the pilot for the accident flight, although there were weight and balance calculations for flights conducted days earlier. The trooper also related that the cargo in the back of the airplane had not been secured, although a tie-down cargo net was available.

Akiachak is approximately 17 miles northwest of Bethel. At 1153, the Bethel METAR weather report indicated the surface wind was 153 degrees magnetic at 13 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of a the wrong runway, which resulted in a tailwind for the takeoff attempt. Factors associated with the accident are a short takeoff area, a tailwind, and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions.