# NTSB ANC95LA040: Cessna 206G, N756TA, Chevak, AK, March 29, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1995, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Chevak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.530551, -165.600936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5306&lon=-165.6009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE LANDING FLARE AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO AVOID STALLING THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS COMPLETING A CARGO FLIGHT TO A REMOTE AIRSTRIP.  THE WIND CONDITIONS VARIED FROM ALMOST CALM TO GUSTS OF ABOUT 25 KNOTS.  DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY, LANDING ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AND TAIL.  THE PILOT, WHO HOLDS A MECHANIC CERTIFICATE, INSPECTED THE AIRPLANE AND NOTED THAT THE TAIL SKID WAS BENT UPWARD.  AFTER INSPECTION, THE PILOT DECIDED TO DEPART FOR THE COMPANY BASE.  AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL WAS BENT UPWARD WITH WRINKLING OF THE UPPER EMPENNAGE SURFACE, JUST AFT OF THE CABIN.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 1995, about 0950 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206, N756TA, experienced a hard landing at the Chevak Airport, Chevak, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cargo flight to Chevak under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by Arctic Circle Air, Anchorage, Alaska, received substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  Company VFR flight plan procedures were in effect.  The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska, about 0851.

The operator reported that the pilot was landing on runway 32 and noted that the wind conditions varied from almost calm, to gusts of about 25 knots.  During the landing flare, the airplane suddenly dropped to the runway, landing on the main landing gear and tail.  The pilot noted that the tail skid was bent upwards; however, after examination, departed for the return flight to Bethel.  The pilot holds a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), and the operator's director of maintenance examined the airplane.  They reported that the tail of the airplane was bent upward with wrinkling of the upper empennage surface, just aft of the cabin.  The structural stringers were also bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N756TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756TA-2011-10-25), registration cancelled 2011-10-25, S/N U20604333, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206G
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206g) (registry code 2073357) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20605034
- Airframe hours: 5367
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Arctic Circle Air
- Registered owner: Arctic Air Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 26, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: VAK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: VAK, Chevak, runway 32, 2,600 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,039 total, 223 in this make and model, 241 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °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 19950329008159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950329008159A), Mar 29, 1995: Cessna TU206G, Chevak, AK, Substantial damage. Made hard landing due windshear. Tail strike. Returned to base with winkled empannage. Tail bent upward.

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.

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