Accident Details
On July 23, 2025, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 210-5 (205) airplane, registration N8457Z, sustained substantial damage in an accident on a remote beach approximately 50 miles southeast of Yakutat, Alaska. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The aircraft was being operated by Yakutat Air under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand charter flight, transporting a load of fresh fish from the beach site to Yakutat.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, during the departure from the wet, soft, sand-covered beach, the airplane did not seem to accelerate as expected. After takeoff, the airplane traveled about 100 feet before the right wing stalled. The main landing gear wheel then struck the sand-covered beach. Subsequently, the airplane bounced, and the right main landing gear contacted a piece of driftwood. This caused the airplane to be pulled sideways, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was 3,231 lbs, which was 69 lbs under the maximum allowable gross weight. He stated that the available takeoff space on the beach was 1,500 ft and that during the takeoff roll the engine seemed to be running fine.
Post-Accident Actions
The wreckage was moved to a secure location, and a detailed examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pending.