Casualties unknown

Aborted Takeoff Results in Collision with Bulldozer (N70076)

Napaskiak, AK, US

On December 12, 1988, a Cessna 207 (registration N70076) operated by Dick Nelson was involved in an aviation accident near Napaskiak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with a bulldozer during an aborted takeoff initiated due to a low fuel flow indication, despite no mechanical failure being found during post-incident engine examination. 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 aircraft collided with a bulldozer during an aborted takeoff on a snow-covered runway after the pilot noticed low fuel flow. No mechanical issues were found.

What happened

The incident occurred while an airplane was attempting to depart from a snow-covered runway. During the initial phase of the takeoff roll, the pilot made the decision to abort the maneuver. The primary reason for this action was a low fuel flow indication observed on the engine instruments.

As the aircraft decelerated along the departure end of the runway, it collided with a bulldozer that was present in the area. The collision resulted in damage to the airplane, though specific details regarding the extent of the structural damage are not provided in the available records.

The investigation

Following the incident, an examination of the aircraft's engine was conducted by the director of operations. This inspection was performed to determine if a mechanical issue had triggered the low fuel flow warning that led to the aborted takeoff.

The technical review concluded that there was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction within the engine system. The findings suggest that the low fuel flow indication may have been transient or related to operational factors rather than a hardware defect, although the specific cause of the indication is not detailed in this summary.

Probable cause

Collision with a bulldozer during an aborted takeoff initiated due to a low fuel flow indication, despite no mechanical failure being found during post-incident engine examination.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27363. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.