Cessna U206 N8070Z accident near Willow, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain control during a night landing pattern crosswind turn due to spatial disorientation and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

A flight instructor and a private pilot receiving instruction departed on a night training flight. The pilot had recently obtained her private pilot certificate without night training time under a regulatory exception for Alaska pilots. The accident flight was her first night flight. After performing one night landing and takeoff at the accident airport, the pilot receiving instruction performed a right turn to the crosswind leg at pattern altitude. The instructor, who was in the right seat, then exclaimed "what is up with your attitude?" The instructor took control of the airplane after he realized that the airplane was descending and the pilot receiving instruction was disoriented; however, the airplane impacted terrain shortly after. Both pilots stated that it was a dark, moonless night with no visible horizon in the vicinity of the remote airport. The pilot receiving instruction reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC18TA070 for the full record.