NTSB Factual Report

On April 24, 2001, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N1750U, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at the Kongiganak Airport, Kongiganak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country cargo flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned by M & M Leasing, LLC., and operated by Frontier Flying Service, Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company visual flight rules (VFR) flight following procedures were in effect for the flight from Bethel, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 15, the director of operations for the operator reported that after an uneventful landing, as the pilot of the accident airplane was taxiing to the parking apron, the left main tire struck a large divot in the gravel taxiway. He said that the tail of the airplane struck the taxiway, and sustained damage. The operator was granted an FAA ferry permit, and ferried the airplane to the operator's maintenance facility in Fairbanks.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), examined the airplane at the operator's maintenance facility in Fairbanks. He reported the accident airplane's fuselage had substantial damage to 4 stringers.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for taxi. A factor associated with the accident was a rough/uneven taxiway.