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Aircraft Damaged After Striking Snow Berm During Aborted Takeoff (N9720M)

Nondalton, AK, US

On January 12, 1990, a Cessna 207A (registration N9720M) was involved in an aviation accident near Nondalton, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE POSITIONING OF THE TEMPORARY RUNWAY MARKERS, SNOW COVERED RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS, PARTIAL WHITEOUT CONDITION, AND THE SNOW BERMS AT THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff roll, the pilot encountered partial whiteout conditions and aborted due to difficulty distinguishing the runway edge. The aircraft struck a snow berm, veered left, and sustained damage.

Incident Overview

Operational personnel reported that during the takeoff roll, the pilot encountered partial whiteout conditions and had difficulty defining the edge of the runway from adjacent snow berms. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the aircraft encountered a snow berm on the left side. It then veered further left and was damaged.

Runway Markings

Orange markers had been placed at the runway edges to delineate the boundaries. However, these markers were located along the outside edges of the snow berms and were not clearly visible to the pilot. This contributed to the difficulty in identifying the runway edge during the partial whiteout.

Outcome

The aircraft was damaged as a result of the encounter with the snow berm. No further details about the extent of damage or other factors were provided in the report.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Jan 1990 Cessna 207A accident near Nondalton, AK?

During takeoff roll, the pilot encountered partial whiteout conditions and aborted due to difficulty distinguishing the runway edge. The aircraft struck a snow berm, veered left, and sustained damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Jan 1990 Cessna 207A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Jan 1990 involved a Cessna 207A, registration N9720M, at Nondalton, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE POSITIONING OF THE TEMPORARY RUNWAY MARKERS, SNOW COVERED RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS, PARTIAL WHITEOUT CONDITION, AND THE SNOW BERMS AT THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22358. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.