# NTSB ANC96LA035: Cessna 206, N942SA, Willow, AK, March 17, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1996, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.889682, -149.72911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8897&lon=-149.7291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA035

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.  Snow covered terrain that concealed uneven terrain was a factor in the accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot was landing the ski-equipped airplane on a frozen and snow covered lake to pick up a passenger.  During the landing roll, the airplane hit a small bump and the nose wheel ski broke through the surface of crusty snow.  The nose ski then struck uneven terrain below the snow.  The nose wheel was sheared off and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On March 17, 1996, about 1850 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 206, N942SA, crashed during landing at Trapper Lake, about 15 miles north of Willow, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Susitna Air Service Inc., Willow, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.  The flight originated from Kashwitna Lake, Kashwitna, Alaska, about 1845.

The pilot reported that he was landing on the frozen and snow covered lake to pick up a passenger.  During the landing roll, the airplane hit a small bump and the nose wheel ski broke through the surface of crusty snow.  The nose ski then struck uneven terrain below the snow.  The nose wheel was sheared off and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer and fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N942SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N942SA), registered now, S/N TU2060553 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 206
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206a) (registry code 2073318) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520-M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-m) (registry code 17266, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U2060553
- Airframe hours: 8053
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Susitna Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 1996, 48 hours before
- Departed: KASHWITNA, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F

## Other investigations on N942SA (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 ANC86LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA143), Sep 4, 1986: Cessna TU206A (N942SA), Talkeetna, 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.

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