# NTSB ANC15CA053: Cessna U206F, N206CL, Kasilof, AK, July 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2015, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Kasilof, AK - Coordinates: 60.283611, -152.458053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2836&lon=-152.4581&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91615/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91615 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a jammed elevator and subsequent loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing a remote tidal beach in a tricycle landing gear-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, right at liftoff, the airplane hit a piece of drift wood jamming the elevator in the nose-up position. As the airplane became airborne the pilot reduced power in an effort to control pitch. At about 15 feet above ground level the elevator broke free, and locked in the nose down position. The airplane impacted the beach sustaining substantial damage to the firewall and left elevator. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing a remote tidal beach in a tricycle landing gear-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, right at liftoff, the airplane hit a piece of drift wood jamming the elevator in the nose-up position. As the airplane became airborne the pilot reduced power in an effort to control pitch. At about 15 feet above ground level the elevator broke free, and locked in the nose down position. The airplane impacted the beach sustaining substantial damage to the firewall and left elevator. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N206CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206CL-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N U20602538, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F (F) - Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20602538 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 7979 - Engines: Continental IO520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Pacific Alaska Shellfish Inc - Registered owner: Pacific Alaska Shellfish Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 2015 - Departed: Kasilof, AK - Destination: 6AK3, Nikiski, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,014 total, 9,750 in this make and model, 9,900 as pilot in command, 256 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: 5KS, 53 nm away ## 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 20150722014089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150722014089A), Jul 22, 2015: Cessna U206F, Ninilchik, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was taking off from a soft beach surface across the inlet from Ninilchik, and during rollout for take-off, heard something strike the aircraft.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91615. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.