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Air taxi cargo flight departs a small, remote lake. The pilot of the float-equipped airplane estimated the wind velocity as approximately 5 knots. Shortly after lift-off, while still in ground effect, he said the wind either shifted or died down. He felt the airplane suddenly lose altitude, and continue to sink until it collided with rocks and the shoreline. (N1801Q)

Port Alsworth, AK, US

On September 3, 1996, a Cessna 206 (registration N1801Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Port Alsworth, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff in shifting winds, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings - The pilot estimated the wind velocity as approximately 5 knots. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A float-equipped air taxi cargo flight departed a remote lake but lost altitude shortly after takeoff due to shifting winds, resulting in a collision with rocks and the shoreline.

What happened

The accident involved an air taxi cargo flight that was departing from a small, remote lake. The pilot of the float-equipped airplane estimated the wind velocity as approximately 5 knots. Shortly after lift-off, while still in ground effect, he said the wind either shifted or died down. He felt the airplane suddenly lose altitude, and continue to sink until it collided with rocks and the shoreline.

The investigation

The pilot reported that the wind either shifted or died down shortly after lift-off. He felt the airplane suddenly lose altitude, and continue to sink until it collided with rocks and the shoreline.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff in shifting winds, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings - The pilot estimated the wind velocity as approximately 5 knots. - Shortly after lift-off, while still in ground effect, he said the wind either shifted or died down. - He felt the airplane suddenly lose altitude, and continue to sink until it collided with rocks and the shoreline.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 206 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Sept 1996 Cessna 206 accident near Port Alsworth, AK?

A float-equipped air taxi cargo flight departed a remote lake but lost altitude shortly after takeoff due to shifting winds, resulting in a collision with rocks and the shoreline.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Sept 1996 involved a Cessna 206, registration N1801Q, at Port Alsworth, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff in shifting winds, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings - The pilot estimated the wind velocity as approximately 5 knots. - Shortly after lift-off, while still in ground effect, he said the wind either shifted or…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06654. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.