N5293X

On December 10, 1995, about 1920 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206, N5293X, collided with a snowbank during an aborted takeoff at Selawik, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled domestic passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Baker Aviation, Kotzebue, Alaska, as flight number 422 to Kotzebue, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported he began the takeoff roll on runway 09 and heard an unusual noise. The pilot said he was at rotation speed when he aborted the takeoff by reducing engine power to idle and applying the brakes. The airplane began sliding toward the end of the runway and the pilot attempted to turn the airplane onto runway 03 by adding engine power to assist in the turn. The airplane slid off the side of runway 03 and contacted a snowbank with the right wing, propeller, and nose gear.

In his written remarks to the NTSB, the pilot said he believes the noise he heard during the takeoff roll was caused by an unsecured passenger door. He said he was unable to verify this because the passenger had left the airplane through the same door right after the accident. The pilot also commented in his written report, under the Recommendation section (How Could This Accident Been Prevented): " Cessna should redesign the inside cargo door handle to avoid passengers using it as a handle to hang onto during takeoff and landing."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), confirmed the wing damage on December 20, 1995.