N735LSCESSNA U206G2013-09-05 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA U206GS/N: U20604937

Summary

On September 05, 2013, a Cessna U206G (N735LS) was involved in an accident near Mcgrath, AK. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 3 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's decision to conduct a precautionary landing following a loss of altitude during takeoff initial climb.

Shortly after takeoff from a remote mountain airstrip, at approximately 40 feet above ground level the airplane lost altitude, and began to sink. The pilot elected to conduct an off airport precautionary landing, during the landing the airplane nosed over sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, empennage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

In the narrative history of flight section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that he was unsure if the loss in altitude was a result of wind shear, or inadvertent movement of the flap selector by the passenger seated in the right front seat.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ANC13CA094. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N735LS.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, September 5, 2013
NTSB Number
ANC13CA094
Location
McGrath, AK
Event ID
20130906X85732
Coordinates
61.918056, -154.557785
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to conduct a precautionary landing following a loss of altitude during takeoff initial climb.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
U20604937
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1979
Model / ICAO
U206GC206
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
6
FAA Model
U206G

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
PATRICK ANDREW
Address
4888 W AERONCA ST
City
BOISE
State / Zip Code
ID 83705-5056
Country
United States

Analysis

Shortly after takeoff from a remote mountain airstrip, at approximately 40 feet above ground level the airplane lost altitude, and began to sink. The pilot elected to conduct an off airport precautionary landing, during the landing the airplane nosed over sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, empennage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

In the narrative history of flight section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that he was unsure if the loss in altitude was a result of wind shear, or inadvertent movement of the flap selector by the passenger seated in the right front seat.

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the operator stated that the accident may have been prevented if the company had established mandatory policies limiting loads out of short, high altitude, mountain airstrips, where gusting winds and wind shear is common.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC13CA094