# NTSB ANC11LA038: Cessna P206C, N8665Z, Wasilla, AK, May 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2011, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.555278, -149.339447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5553&lon=-149.3394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 79238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from an unpaved airstrip, resulting in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073312), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P206C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073312), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna P206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073312), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P206C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073312), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna P206C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073312), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff the airplane, which was taking off for a parachute jump, collided with trees lining the side of the grass runway. The pilot said that a previous flight that day had been uneventful. During the accident takeoff he said he heard a "pop" at rotation and the airplane pulled to the left. He corrected with rudder and aileron, and the airplane drifted right. The right wing struck trees on the right side of the runway and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The left wing impacted another group of trees and the left main landing wheel separated from the airplane after striking a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane showed no mechanical anomalies that would have contributed to a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2011, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N8665Z, sustained substantial damage during a collision with trees, while taking off from a private grass runway, about 5 miles east of Wasilla, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Sky Sports, Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) parachute jump flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot and the 5 jumpers were not injured. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on May 27, the pilot said the accident flight was the second flight of the day, and that the previous flight had been uneventful. In a written statement dated June 4, the pilot reported that during the accident takeoff he anticipated torque and P-factor, and a left crosswind. At rotation he heard a "pop," and the airplane turned sharply left. He corrected with rudder and aileron, but over corrected, and the airplane veered to the right, he reduced power, and attempted to regain directional control. The right wing struck trees on the right side of the runway, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. On May 27, the airplane was examined by the NTSB IIC and an FAA aviation safety inspector at the accident site. In addition to damage to the right wing, the left wing impacted a group of trees, and the left main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane after striking a tree. The airplane came to rest in a grassy meadow on its belly and left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. During a follow up examination of the flight controls and landing gear by the IIC, control continuity was established to all the flight controls. No mechanical anomalies were found with the main landing gear wheel brakes, and nose wheel steering. The fractured left landing gear leg was examined by the IIC and an engineer from the FAA Aircraft Certification Office. The fracture surface appearance was consistent with an overload fracture. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8665Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8665Z-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N P206-0465, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P206C - Registry model: [Cessna P206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206c) (registry code 2073312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P206-0465 - Airframe hours: 10976 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Walling Susette, doing business as Alaska Sky Sports - Registered owner: Walling Susette - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 2010 - Departed: 5AK, Wasilla, AK - Destination: 5AK, Wasilla, AK - Airport: 5AK, Fairview East, runway 26, 3,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 25,022 total, 253 in this make and model, 22,206 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 20110527011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110527011009A), May 27, 2011: Cessna P206C, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. At approximately 1500 may 27, 2011, N8665Z, a modified Cessna 206 was attempting a takeoff from a private grass strip located near crane road, Wasilla Alaska.… ## Other investigations on N8665Z (1) 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 ANC10LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA005), Oct 17, 2009: Cessna P206C (N8665Z), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land on a short gravel runway, and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in an overrun and on-ground collision with a fence. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79238. 613 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.