N756UP

On December 8, 1996, at 0900 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna TU206G, N756UP, collapsed the nose landing gear during a hard landing on runway 09 at the Mammoth Lakes, California, airport following a loss of engine power on final approach. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured. The flight originated at Fullerton, California, on the day of the accident about 0720 as a personal cross-country flight to Mammoth.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that about 40 miles south of the airport the fuel pressure dropped and he turned on the auxiliary fuel pump and continued the descent for landing. On final approach the aircraft was low and he added throttle, with no response. The pilot noted that the stall warning was sounding and he lowered the nose slightly to prevent a stall. The aircraft landed hard on the runway threshold and collapsed the nose gear.

Mammoth Lakes Police officers responded to the scene and interviewed the pilot. According to their report, the pilot stated that at 100 feet agl on final the engine lost power and a high rate of descent developed. He further told the responding officers that he "put on full flaps to slow his free fall," and when that did not work, he lowered the nose to regain speed. The aircraft collided with the runway on the nose gear, collapsing it and damaging the propeller.

The aircraft was recovered by National Aircraft, Long Beach, California. Following recovery, the engine was started and test run using the airframe systems.

The Safety Board was notified of the accident on December 23, 1996, after the aircraft had been moved and disassembled. The total fuel quantity and the distribution among the tanks was not ascertained.