N8440Q – Cessna 206F – 2006-07-12 NTSB Accident Report

On July 12, 2006, a Cessna 206F (N8440Q) was involved in an incident near Fairbanks, AK. All 5 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in the airplane encountering a severe downdraft during takeoff initial climb, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were a thunderstorm and a downdraft.

The airline transport certificated pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a slough with a float-equipped airplane on a Title 14, CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. He stated he aborted the first takeoff attempt due to shifting winds created by local thunderstorms, and elected to takeoff in the opposite direction. Shortly after liftoff, the pilot reported the airplane encountered a severe downdraft, and descended onto the tundra, striking Alder and Willow bushes. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and wing lift struts.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC06CA088. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8440Q.