# NTSB ANC16CA049: Cessna U206, N1222V, Cordova, AK, July 20, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2016, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cordova, AK - Coordinates: 60.338333, -146.258056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3383&lon=-146.2581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Juneau FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93652/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93652 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent landing gear separation and collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing the tricycle-geared airplane on a remote beach, he "landed a little hard, but not too hard." Following touchdown, the right main landing separated at the axle, the right wing impacted the ground, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the left wing and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses soft-field landings and states in part: Landing on fields that are rough or have soft surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, or tall grass requires unique procedures. When landing on such surfaces, the objective is to touch down as smoothly as possible, and at the slowest possible landing speed. The pilot must control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical, to minimize drag and stresses imposed on the landing gear by the rough or soft surface. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing the tricycle-geared airplane on a remote beach, he "landed a little hard, but not too hard." Following touchdown, the right main landing separated at the axle, the right wing impacted the ground, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the left wing and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses soft-field landings and states in part: Landing on fields that are rough or have soft surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, or tall grass requires unique procedures. When landing on such surfaces, the objective is to touch down as smoothly as possible, and at the slowest possible landing speed. The pilot must control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical, to minimize drag and stresses imposed on the landing gear by the rough or soft surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1222V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1222V-2019-11-01), registration cancelled 2019-11-01, S/N U20602522, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206 (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: U20602522 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: Continental IO-520F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alaska Gulf Coast Adventures - Registered owner: Alaska Gulf Coast Adventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2016 - Departed: CDV, CORDOVA, AK - Destination: Cordova, AK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,000 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 13,950 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PACV, 26 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 20160720022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160720022629A), Jul 20, 2016: Cessna U206F, Hinchinbrook Is, AK, Substantial damage. On 7/20/2016 at approximatly 9:00 am N122V a Cessna 206 landed on the beach near hook point on Hinchinbrook island. After landing the right gear leg got caught… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93652. 347 KB in all. - Record of Conversation NTSB (item 1, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20NTSB-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.