Casualties unknown

Air taxi pilot loses control on short gravel runway in strong crosswind (N1472M)

Sheldon Point, AK, US

On October 17, 1987, a Cessna 207A (registration N1472M) was involved in an aviation accident near Sheldon Point, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land on a short, narrow gravel strip in crosswind conditions that exceeded the recommended limits for the aircraft type. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An air taxi flight ended in a substantial damage accident when the pilot attempted to land on a short, narrow gravel strip in winds exceeding recommendations for the aircraft type.

What happened

The air taxi pilot attempted to land on a short, narrow gravel air strip under crosswind conditions. The wind was reported to be in excess of the recommended limits for the specific type of aircraft being flown. A witness observed that the wind speed was approximately 40 knots, with gusts reaching 50 knots from 230 degrees.

During the landing attempt, the airplane ran off the end of the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. No further details regarding injuries or specific aircraft registration were provided in the source text.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land on a short, narrow gravel strip in crosswind conditions that exceeded the recommended limits for the aircraft type.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X32232. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.