# NTSB ANC97LA082: Cessna TU206A, N230B, Yakutat, AK, May 18, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1997, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Yakutat, AK
- Coordinates: 59.509147, -139.710281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.5091&lon=-139.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA082

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on a remote beach. During the landing roll, the nosewheel encountered soft sand. The nosewheel broke off the front landing gear strut, and the left wing struck the sand. The airplane received damage to the left wing rear spar.

## Factual narrative

On May 18, 1997, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna TU-206A, N230B, crashed during landing on a remote area of beach, about 25 miles east of Yakutat, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Yakutat airport, about 1330.

On May 19, 1997, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on a beach in the Akwe River area.  During the landing roll, the nose wheel encountered soft sand.  The nose wheel broke off the front landing gear strut, and the left wing struck the sand.  On June 2, 1997, the pilot reported that a subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed the left wing rear spar was bent at the inboard attach point.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N230B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N230B), registered now, S/N U206-0625, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna TU206A
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206a) (registry code 2073318) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U-206-0625
- Airframe hours: 3247
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bobby C. Pate
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1997, 15 hours before
- Departed: YAK
- Destination: AKWE RIVER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19970518016099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970518016099A), May 18, 1997: Cessna TU206A, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was landing on a remote beach. During the landing roll, the nosewheel encountered soft sand. The nosewheel broke off the front landing gear…

## Other investigations on N230B (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 DEN71FXT05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71FXT05), Jul 30, 1970: Cessna TU206A (N230B), Corinne, UT, 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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