# NTSB ANC01LA143: Cessna U206, N3831G, Paxson, AK, September 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2001, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Paxson, AK - Coordinates: 63.216667, -146.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.2167&lon=-146.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 54913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54913/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a sign while taxiing after landing in mixed rain and snow. Factors associated with the accident are reduced visibility conditions due to the snow and rain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - sign - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, taxi - from landing ## Analysis The pilot reported he made an unplanned, precautionary landing during a cross country flight due to deteriorating weather conditions. After landing at a remote lodge airstrip, he had difficulty seeing a sign, and just before striking the sign, he applied the brakes and attempted to turn away from it. The left wing struck the sign, and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot said he had difficulty seeing the sign due to the reduced visibility in rain and snow. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2001, a Cessna U206 airplane, N3831G, received substantial damage when it collided with a sign after landing at the McLaren Lodge airstrip, located about 32 miles west of Paxson, Alaska. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed the pilot's private airstrip near Talkeetna, Alaska, about 1400, and was en route to a remote landing site north of Paxson. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on September 24, the pilot related he encountered poor visibility in mixed rain and snow, and lowering clouds. He elected to make a precautionary landing at the McLaren lodge, and struck a dilapidated sign with the left wing during the taxi from landing. He said just prior to striking the sign, he applied maximum braking, and attempted to turn away from the sign. As he initiated the turn, the nose gear collapsed. The pilot said the rain and snow on the windshield made it difficult to see the sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3831G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3831G), registered now, S/N U206-0831 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna U206 - Registry model: [Cessna U206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206b) (registry code 2073322) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U206-0831 - Airframe hours: 6681 - Engines: Continental IO520F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Leonard W. Kragness - Registered owner: Denali Evolvement, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2001, 91 hours before - Departed: 3AK3, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: Paxson, AK - Airport: McLaren River Lodge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review March 6, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010922039549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010922039549A), Sep 22, 2001: Cessna U206B, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 22, 2001, leonard kragness was on a private business flight from 3AK3 to isabel pass. Pilot in command encountered unforcast snow and icing… ## Other investigations on N3831G (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC99LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA116), Jul 31, 1999: Cessna 206 (N3831G), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A leak/partial failure of the left main gear brake system. Factors in the accident were a short runway/landing area, and the presence of rocks/boulders at the end of the airstrip. - [NTSB ANC80DAG84](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG84), Jul 24, 1980: Cessna U206B (N3831G), Yakataga, AK, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.